Latest news with #JoseAndres
Arab News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid killed in airstrike
TEL AVIV: At least four Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike and 22 were wounded while waiting for humanitarian aid, according to a local hospital. The airstrike targeted the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to Al-Awda Hospital, where the bodies were brought. It said another 22 people were wounded while waiting for aid trucks. Palestinian witnesses and health officials say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on crowds seeking desperately needed food, killing hundreds of people in recent weeks. The military says it has fired warning shots at people it said suspiciously approached its forces. Separately, World Central Kitchen, the charity run by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said it had resumed the distribution of hot meals in Gaza for the first time in six weeks after shutting down because of Israel's blockade, which was loosened last month amid fears of famine. Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said that it had recovered the remains of three hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The military identified the remains as those of Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19. All three were killed during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel that ignited the ongoing war. Hamas is still holding 50 hostages, fewer than half of them believed to be alive. The military did not provide any details about the recovery operation, and it was unclear if the airstrike was related to it. 'The campaign to return the hostages continues consistently and is happening alongside the campaign against Iran,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. Kobi Samerano said in a Facebook post that his son's remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan's 23rd birthday. Militants killed some 1,200 people, and abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7 attack. More than half the hostages have been returned in ceasefire agreements or other deals, eight have been rescued alive, and Israeli forces have recovered dozens of bodies. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which has said that women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The Hostages Families Forum, the main organization representing families of the hostages, has repeatedly called for a deal to release the remaining captives. 'Particularly against the backdrop of current military developments, we want to emphasize that bringing back the remaining 50 hostages is the key to achieving any sort of victory,' it said in a statement on Sunday. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Israel will continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. Even then, he has said Israel will maintain lasting control over Gaza and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population, plans the Palestinians and others view as forcible expulsion. The US, Qatar, and Egypt have been trying to broker a new ceasefire and hostage release after Israel ended a truce in March with a surprise wave of airstrikes. Those talks appear to have made little progress as Israel has expanded its air and ground offensive.
Al Etihad
22-06-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
World Central Kitchen resumes cooking meals for Gazans after 12 weeks
22 June 2025 21:33 Allan Jacob (ABU DHABI)Food charity World Central Kitchen has resumed cooking for starving Gazans affected by relentless attacks and displacement by Israeli armed forces in the charity said almost 10,000 meals were cooked on the first day after it resume cooking 12 weeks after the wave of attacks amid depleted food supplies. "As of today, we have resumed cooking at select kitchens, a critical step toward increasing meal production to meet the urgent need of displaced Palestinians," said World Central Kitchen in a statement. Teams from the charity are now preparing nourishing and warm carb-rich meals such as pasta and hearty potato stews. On May 7, the charity was forced to halt cooking across all its large kitchens and its mobile bakery after food supplies ran out. "This pause marked a devastating moment in our response, cutting off a vital source of daily nourishment for families already facing extreme hardship," it that aid shipments are trickling in after Israel eased some measures, the charity said cooking again for the affected people in enclave was an important milestone. It, however, said that the effects of prolonged hunger do not disappear overnight. Hunger leaves deep physical and psychological scars-and even as meals begin again, the damage caused by extended access disruptions continues to impact families and communities."We are grateful to once again cook for the people of Gaza-but our continued ability to do so is not guaranteed. Consistent and sustained humanitarian access is essential. Our teams stand ready to scale efforts. Without it, feeding communities safely and effectively is impossible," charity said. In the food crisis engulfing Gaza, the charity sought to find sustainable fuel sources. It began using innovative, fuel-efficient stoves that eliminate the need for traditional fuels or electricity, which have been limited since October 2024. This breakthrough allowed the team to initially utilise eco-pellets, it said. But the pellets too became scarce as Israel choked entry points into the enclave. Wooden pallets were the option and were mixed with what was left of the remaining eco pellets to keep cooking fires burning. The charity also tried olive husk, which is a plentiful in the region and is a by-product of olive oil. However, using it comes with its own set of challenges. Raw olive husk creates a lot of smoke, so it needs to be compressed into briquettes. Sourcing and processing the olive husk also requires complex logistics, the charity said. But despite facing these odds the Kitchen, which began operations in Gaza in October 2023, has served more than 133 million meals to people of the area. According to the World Health Organisation, the entire 2.1 million population of Gaza is facing prolonged food shortages, with nearly half a million people in a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death. Founded by Jose Andres in 2010, the World Central Kitchen has served over 300 million meals to communities affected by violence and natural disasters across the world.
Travel Weekly
24-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Jose Andres brings the tastes of the Mediterranean to Caesars Palace
Internationally renowned chef Jose Andres has added a seventh restaurant to his Las Vegas portfolio: the Mediterranean-themed Zaytinya in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The menu explores the culinary traditions of Turkey, Greece and Lebanon. It includes classic spreads such as labneh (strained yogurt) and baba ghannougem (eggplant with tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil). Signature dishes include Soujouk Pide (spicy sausage, cheese and a soft-cooked egg on flatbread) and Octopus Santorini (grilled and served with marinated onions, capers and yellow split pea puree). There are also vegetable-forward options such as spanakopita (spinach, feta cheese and seasonings baked in phyllo) and seasonal salads. Guests can share mezze with the table, pick their own main courses or a combination of both. One highlight is the grilled lamb chops, prepared with Tangier spice and paired with spring pea tzatziki. Design sets the mood Rockwell Group designed the 8,604-square-foot space. Guests enter through large oak doors adorned with trellises and plants into a vibrant bar and lounge with mosaic tile and soft lighting. Beams and pendant lamps help frame the dining area, which features a fireplace with a large hood. The back bar is built with a glass structure that is symbolic of the Greek evil eye. Drapery provides semiprivate dining areas for gatherings and celebrations. "At Zaytinya, we've focused on curating a vibrant cultural experience," said Sam Bakhshandehpour, Jose Andres Group's global CEO. "The vision was to craft a space where the soul of the Eastern Mediterranean comes alive through bold flavors, stunning design and connection. Ultimately, we believe that food is at its best when shared; it's all about bringing people together." • Cover story: Nobu's next course Since it launched in Washington in 2002, the flagship Zaytinya has been recognized by awards such as Bib Gourmand and the 2021 Michelin Guide. Hours for the Las Vegas location are from 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant will also launch with Mezze Ora, which features specially priced and paired drinks and bites from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Jose Andres Group's other Las Vegas restaurants are Bazaar Mar and Bar Centro (Shops at Crystals); Bazaar Meat (Sahara); and Jaleo, China Poblano and e by Jose Andres (Cosmopolitan).
Rhyl Journal
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Leading aid group shuts down soup kitchens across Gaza amid blockade by Israel
World Central Kitchen was serving 133,000 meals per day and baking 80,000 loaves of bread over the past few weeks, but said it was forced to suspend operations since there is almost no food left in Gaza for the organisation to cook. The lack of food is threatening Gaza's population, already battered by 19 months of war. In April, the World Food Programme said its food stocks in Gaza had run out under Israel's blockade, ending a main source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the territory. Malnutrition and hunger are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Gaza Strip as Israel's total blockade enters its third month. Aid agencies say a shortage of food and supplies has driven the territory towards starvation and supplies to treat and prevent malnutrition are depleted and quickly running out. Israel imposed the blockade on March 2, then shattered a two-month ceasefire by resuming military operations in the territory on March 18. It said both steps aim to pressure the militant Hamas group to release hostages the extremists still hold. Rights groups call the blockade a 'starvation tactic' that endangers the entire population and a potential war crime. Community kitchens such as the ones run by World Central Kitchen are a lifeline for hundreds of thousands for their daily meal, but many are shutting down due to a lack of supplies. After serving more than 130 million total meals and 26 million loaves of bread over the past 18 months, World Central Kitchen no longer has the supplies to cook meals or bake bread in Gaza. #ChefsForGaza (1/5) — World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) May 7, 2025 At those still open, chaotic scenes of desperate men, women and children fighting to get meagre rations are common. Bakeries have closed, while water distribution is grinding to a halt due to a lack of fuel. Since the start of the war, World Central Kitchen said it has served more than 130 million meals and baked 80 million loaves of bread. The organisation also said on Thursday there was no flour left in its mobile bakery. 'Our trucks — loaded with food and supplies — are waiting in Egypt, Jordan and Israel, ready to enter Gaza,' said Jose Andres, the celebrity chef who founded the organisation. 'But they cannot move without permission. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow.' Cogat, the Israeli defence body overseeing aid to Gaza, said the blockade would continue unless the Israeli government changed its policy. Since the start of the year, more than 10,000 children have been admitted or treated for acute malnutrition, according to the World Health Organisation. WFP's food stocks inside #Gaza are depleted. Lifesaving aid is ready nearby — but all border crossings remain closed. Millions depend on this assistance to survive. But without access, humanitarian operations are at a standstill. We urgently need aid to enter Gaza. — World Food Programme (@WFP) May 3, 2025 The increase was particularly dramatic in March, with 3,600 cases — an 80% increase, compared with the 2,000 children in February, Unicef reported. Nearly half the 200 nutrition centres around Gaza have shut down because of displacement and bombardment. World Central Kitchen had previously suspended operations in April of last year after seven aid workers were killed in Israeli strikes on its convoy, before resuming weeks later. Also on Thursday, a series of Israeli air strikes hit hilltops in the vicinity of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, killing at least one person and wounding eight others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it bombed infrastructure that belonged to the Hezbollah militant group and included weapons and tunnel shafts as part of a large underground network. Israel said that Hezbollah's activities at the site violated a November ceasefire. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said public institutions in the area were closed after the attacks as families rushed to schools to take their children home. Since the US-brokered ceasefire in November stopped the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon have continued. Hezbollah says it has largely disarmed south of the Litani River, while Israel insists the militants are rearming themselves. Some 4,000 people in Lebanon were killed during the war, including many civilians.
Leader Live
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Leading aid group shuts down soup kitchens across Gaza amid blockade by Israel
World Central Kitchen was serving 133,000 meals per day and baking 80,000 loaves of bread over the past few weeks, but said it was forced to suspend operations since there is almost no food left in Gaza for the organisation to cook. The lack of food is threatening Gaza's population, already battered by 19 months of war. In April, the World Food Programme said its food stocks in Gaza had run out under Israel's blockade, ending a main source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the territory. Malnutrition and hunger are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Gaza Strip as Israel's total blockade enters its third month. Aid agencies say a shortage of food and supplies has driven the territory towards starvation and supplies to treat and prevent malnutrition are depleted and quickly running out. Israel imposed the blockade on March 2, then shattered a two-month ceasefire by resuming military operations in the territory on March 18. It said both steps aim to pressure the militant Hamas group to release hostages the extremists still hold. Rights groups call the blockade a 'starvation tactic' that endangers the entire population and a potential war crime. Community kitchens such as the ones run by World Central Kitchen are a lifeline for hundreds of thousands for their daily meal, but many are shutting down due to a lack of supplies. After serving more than 130 million total meals and 26 million loaves of bread over the past 18 months, World Central Kitchen no longer has the supplies to cook meals or bake bread in Gaza. #ChefsForGaza (1/5) — World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) May 7, 2025 At those still open, chaotic scenes of desperate men, women and children fighting to get meagre rations are common. Bakeries have closed, while water distribution is grinding to a halt due to a lack of fuel. Since the start of the war, World Central Kitchen said it has served more than 130 million meals and baked 80 million loaves of bread. The organisation also said on Thursday there was no flour left in its mobile bakery. 'Our trucks — loaded with food and supplies — are waiting in Egypt, Jordan and Israel, ready to enter Gaza,' said Jose Andres, the celebrity chef who founded the organisation. 'But they cannot move without permission. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow.' Cogat, the Israeli defence body overseeing aid to Gaza, said the blockade would continue unless the Israeli government changed its policy. Since the start of the year, more than 10,000 children have been admitted or treated for acute malnutrition, according to the World Health Organisation. WFP's food stocks inside #Gaza are depleted. Lifesaving aid is ready nearby — but all border crossings remain closed. Millions depend on this assistance to survive. But without access, humanitarian operations are at a standstill. We urgently need aid to enter Gaza. — World Food Programme (@WFP) May 3, 2025 The increase was particularly dramatic in March, with 3,600 cases — an 80% increase, compared with the 2,000 children in February, Unicef reported. Nearly half the 200 nutrition centres around Gaza have shut down because of displacement and bombardment. World Central Kitchen had previously suspended operations in April of last year after seven aid workers were killed in Israeli strikes on its convoy, before resuming weeks later. Also on Thursday, a series of Israeli air strikes hit hilltops in the vicinity of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, killing at least one person and wounding eight others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it bombed infrastructure that belonged to the Hezbollah militant group and included weapons and tunnel shafts as part of a large underground network. Israel said that Hezbollah's activities at the site violated a November ceasefire. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said public institutions in the area were closed after the attacks as families rushed to schools to take their children home. Since the US-brokered ceasefire in November stopped the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon have continued. Hezbollah says it has largely disarmed south of the Litani River, while Israel insists the militants are rearming themselves. Some 4,000 people in Lebanon were killed during the war, including many civilians.
