Latest news with #ThomasPigott
The Age
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Israel-Iran ceasefire as it happened: Trump officials give classified briefing to US Congress over Iranian nuclear site bombings; Iran's supreme leader says strikes on US base a ‘slap to America's face'
2.35pm on Jun 27, 2025 US gives contentious Gaza aid group $30m By Cassandra Morgan Further to our previous post, the US has approved $30 million in funding for the contentious aid distribution system in Gaza, which is run mostly by American contractors and backed by Israel, The New York Times reports. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is relatively new to running food distribution centres on the Gaza Strip. The Gaza health ministry says hundreds of people have been killed near food distribution points in the past month. Humanitarian groups were raising the alarm about the sites since before the project's operations began in late May, saying having only a few distribution sites – most in southern Gaza – with Israeli soldiers stationed nearby displaced residents and militarised humanitarian aid, the Times reported. US state department spokesman Thomas Pigott, in announcing the $30 million in funding, described the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as a project that was 'absolutely incredible and should be commended and supported', the Times reported. Pigott called for other countries to contribute funding to the group, which the United Nations has criticised, alongside many other humanitarian organisations, the Times reported. It is reportedly the first time the US state department has publicly announced financial aid for the group. 2.08pm on Jun 27, 2025 Another 18 killed as turmoil mounts over Gaza food distribution An Israeli strike hit a street in central Gaza on Thursday, where witnesses said people were getting bags of flour from a Palestinian police unit that had confiscated the goods from gangs looting aid convoys. Hospital officials said 18 people were killed. The strike was the latest violence surrounding the distribution of food to Gaza's population, which has been thrown into turmoil over the past month. After blocking all food for 2½ months, Israel has allowed only a trickle of supplies into the territory since mid-May. Efforts by the United Nations to distribute the food have been plagued by armed gangs looting trucks, and by crowds of desperate people offloading supplies from convoys. Loading The strike in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Thursday appeared to target members of Sahm, a security unit tasked with stopping looters and cracking down on merchants who sell stolen aid at high prices. The unit is part of Gaza's Hamas-led Interior Ministry, but includes members of other factions. Video of the aftermath showed bodies, several torn, of multiple young men in the street. The dead included a child and at least seven Sahm members, according to the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where casualties were taken. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has accused the militant Hamas group of stealing aid and using it to prop up its rule in the enclave. Israeli forces have repeatedly struck Gaza's police, considering them a branch of Hamas. AP 1.45pm on Jun 27, 2025 Israelis love Trump. But some are unnerved by this vow US President Donald Trump's call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial to be thrown out has plunged the American leader into one of Israel's most heated debates, unnerving some in its political class just days after they unanimously praised his strikes on Iran. Trump's social media post condemning the trial as a 'WITCH HUNT', and his vow that the US will be the one who 'saves' Netanyahu from serious corruption charges, came just two days after he called off an Israeli bombing raid in Iran to preserve a ceasefire. Both were dramatic interventions in the affairs of an ally that previous US administrations had always insisted was a sovereign nation that made its own decisions. Now the one leader nearly all Israelis seem to support has fully embraced the one who most divides them. 'With all due respect for Trump, he is not supposed to interfere in a legal process in an independent country,' Opposition Leader Yair Lapid told Israeli media. Loading Trump is seen by Netanyahu – and many Israelis – as the greatest friend they have ever had in the White House. He has lent unprecedented support to Israel's claims to territories seized in war, he brokered the Abraham Accords with four Arab nations in his first term and over the weekend he ordered direct strikes on Iran's nuclear program, which Israel views as an existential threat. Still, even some staunch supporters of Netanyahu and Trump seemed a bit unnerved. Simcha Rotman, a lawmaker from the far-right Religious Zionist party and one of the architects of Netanyahu's controversial judicial overhaul, wrote on X that Netanyahu's trial 'may be an example of an accumulation of many faults' of the justice system. 'Still, it is not the place of the president of the United States to interfere in legal proceedings in Israel.'
Roya News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
US greenlights $30M for controversial Gaza aid group
The US State Department announced Thursday it will provide USD 30 million in funding to a newly established food distribution network in Gaza. The initiative, known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has been promoted by 'Israel' and is largely operated by American contractors, but has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and the UN. At a press briefing, State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott praised the group, calling it 'absolutely incredible and should be commended and supported.' He urged other countries to contribute financially to the foundation, despite objections raised by numerous aid organizations over its methods and the violence reported around its distribution points. The GHF began distributing food in southern Gaza late last month, establishing only a limited number of sites. Most are located near 'Israeli' military positions, a fact that aid groups say creates dangerous conditions for civilians seeking food and undermines humanitarian neutrality. Pigott declined to say whether the US funding had already been disbursed or if the foundation would expand to serve more of Gaza's population. However, he emphasized that the new system aligned with 'President Trump's call to deliver aid in a way where it can't be looted by Hamas,' and described the foundation's model as one of 'creative solutions.' Violence has been a constant near these distribution sites, with hundreds reportedly killed in the past month as desperate civilians have crowded around aid convoys. Witnesses say Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have opened fire near the centers, though the IOF claims it only fired warning shots when soldiers felt threatened. The Gaza health ministry has attributed many deaths to these incidents. The GHF has denied responsibility, suggesting that some reports were misattributed or fueled by 'Hamas propaganda.' It has also accused Hamas of threatening aid workers and spreading misinformation. Meanwhile, international human rights groups remain skeptical. In a joint statement released Tuesday, 15 organizations criticized the foundation's 'militarized model' and close cooperation with 'Israeli' authorities, saying it violates the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence. Despite these concerns, John Acree, the foundation's interim executive director, welcomed the US pledge. 'Americans deeply care about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and want to see real action,' he said. 'Now is the time for unity and collaboration.' However, many say the new initiative falls far short of meeting the enormous humanitarian need in Gaza. Nearly two million Palestinians live in the enclave, where 'Israel's' blockade, imposed after the aggression began in October 2023, drastically reduced the flow of food and medicine. From March to May, aid was almost entirely cut off. While 'Israel' insists Hamas has looted aid, the UN disputes that it happens systematically and argues that the real issue is the obstruction of supply lines. The UN warned Thursday that most families in Gaza are surviving on a single meager meal a day, with adults regularly skipping food so children and the elderly can eat. Even as other organizations resume work, including World Central Kitchen (WCK), which restarted operations after a May suspension, the UN says aid access is still woefully inadequate.
New York Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
U.S. Approves $30 Million for Contentious New Gaza Aid Group
The State Department said on Thursday that it had approved $30 million in funding for a fledgling aid distribution system in Gaza backed by Israel and run mostly by American contractors, which has seen deadly violence erupt near its sites. Thomas Pigott, a State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing that the new group running the food distribution centers, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, was 'absolutely incredible and should be commended and supported.' He called on other countries to follow suit and contribute funding to the group, which has been criticized by the United Nations and many humanitarian organizations. While the United States has been supportive of the foundation's efforts and has backed the distribution system diplomatically, this appears to be its first public announcement of financial aid for the group. Mr. Pigott declined to say whether the U.S. funding had already been distributed. Humanitarian groups have been raising alarms since before the project's operations began late last month. There are only a few distribution sites, most in southern Gaza, and Israeli soldiers are stationed nearby. Aid groups say that situation displaces residents, exposes them to danger and militarizes humanitarian assistance. Deadly violence has erupted frequently near the sites as large numbers of people have approached them seeking food. The Gaza health ministry said on Wednesday that hundreds had been killed near the distribution points in the past month. Witnesses have repeatedly reported that Israeli troops opened fire near the new aid hubs. The Israeli military has said that it fired 'warning shots' when people approached soldiers threateningly. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Wire
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
‘No Radiation Leak or Release From Any Nuclear Facility in Pakistan': International Atomic Energy Agency
Security The Wire Staff 2 minutes ago Earlier, the Indian Air Force has said that India has not hit any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which is reportedly a spot with nuclear installations. Representative image: Nuclear power plant. Photo: Wikimedia Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Donate now New Delhi: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that there has been 'no radiation leak' from any nuclear facility in Pakistan following the escalation of conflict with India. 'We are aware of the reports you are referring to. Based on information available to the IAEA, there has been no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan,' an IAEA spokesperson has told The Indian Express in response to a query by the newspaper. Earlier, the Indian Air Force has said that India has not hit any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which is reportedly a spot with nuclear installations. IAEA, the Vienna-based nuclear watchdog also runs an incident and emergency centre, which is the focal point for coordination of international assistance while responding to radiation incidents and emergencies. Earlier, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti had said on May 12 that the Indian Air Force had not hit Kirana Hills, in answer to a question on speculation on social media that India had struck the site housing Pakistan's nuclear infrastructure during the four-day military standoff last week. 'Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installations. We did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills. I did not brief in my briefing yesterday,' he said. A day later, at a US State Department press briefing in Washington DC on May 13, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott, was also asked a question on the subject of an alleged radiation leaks. 'I have nothing to preview on that at this time,' Pigott had said. Security 'Inverted the Meaning, Invented an Issue': Ashoka Professor on Women's Panel's Reaction to Army Post View More
India.com
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Radiation leaking from nuclear bombs in tunnels inside Kirana Hills in Pakistan? IAEA makes big claim
Radiation leaking from nuclear bombs in tunnels inside Kirana Hills in Pakistan? IAEA makes big claim Operation Sindoor: It was being speculated that amid the confrontation with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force has also carried out an airstrike on Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which has damaged the nuclear facility allegedly present there and nuclear radiation is coming out. Even after days of Operation Sindoor, there was this ongoing heated discussion in the mainstream media and social media about leakage of is nuclear radiation from the tunnels inside the Kirana Hills of Pakistan where nuclear weapons are allegedly kept. Killing all the rumours, now the International Atomic Energy Agency i.e. IAEA has clarified that no radiation has leaked from any nuclear facility in Pakistan. According to the report of The Indian Express, this information has been given to it by the IAEA as a reply. In fact, speculations were being made that during the confrontation with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force had also carried out an airstrike on Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which allegedly damaged the nuclear facility present there and nuclear radiation was coming out. However, the Indian Air Force had also clearly said that it had not carried out any attack on Kirana Hills. What is IAEA? Notably, IAEA is called the nuclear watchdog and an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established in 1957 under the United Nations (UN) as the world's 'atoms for peace' organization. What did the IAEA say? Responding to a question, an IAEA spokesperson said, 'We are aware of the reports you refer to. Based on the information available to the IAEA, there has been no nuclear radiation or leakage from any nuclear facility in Pakistan,' The Indian Express reported. Let us tell you that on May 13, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott was also asked a question on this subject at the US State Department's press conference in Washington DC. The question was, 'Has the US sent a team to Islamabad or Pakistan after reports of nuclear radiation leaks at some secure Pakistani sites?' On this question, Pigott said: 'At this time I have nothing to preview.' On Monday, DG Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti had said that India has not attacked any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills.
