Latest news with #UNReliefChief
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Israel to pause fighting in Gaza areas each day for aid corridors
Israel said on Sunday it would halt military operations each day for 10 hours in parts of Gaza and allow new aid corridors in the shattered enclave, where images of starving Palestinians have alarmed the world. Israel has been facing growing international criticism, which the government rejects, over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and indirect ceasefire talks in Doha between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have broken off with no deal in sight. Advertisement Military activity will stop from 10am to 8pm until further notice in Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian area which stretches along the coast, in central Deir al-Balah and in Gaza City, to the north. The military said designated secure routes for convoys delivering food and medicine will also be in place between 6am and 11pm, starting from Sunday. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said staff would step up efforts to feed the hungry during the pauses in the designated areas. "Our teams on the ground ... will do all we can to reach as many starving people as we can in this window," he said in a post on X. Advertisement Welcome announcement of humanitarian pauses in Gaza to allow our aid through. In contact with our teams on the ground who will do all we can to reach as many starving people as we can in this window. — Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) July 27, 2025 Health officials at Al-Awda and Al-Aqsa Hospitals in the central Gaza Strip said Israeli firing killed at least 17 people and wounded 50 people waiting for aid trucks on Sunday. A spokesperson for Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Thousands of Gazans gathered in locations where they expect aid trucks to roll through on Sunday, Reuters witnesses and locals said. Dozens of Gazans have died of malnutrition in recent weeks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave. The Gaza health ministry reported six new deaths over the past 24 hours due to malnutrition, bringing the total number of deaths from malnutrition and hunger to 133 including 87 children. Advertisement On Saturday, a five-month-old baby, Zainab Abu Haleeb, died of severe acute malnutrition at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, health workers said. "Three months inside the hospital and this is what I get in return, that she is dead," said her mother, Israa Abu Haleeb, standing next to the baby's father as he held their daughter's body, which was wrapped in a white shroud. The Egyptian Red Crescent said it was sending on Sunday more than 100 trucks carrying over 1,200 metric tons of food aid to southern Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Hours earlier, Israel began aid airdrops in what it said was an effort to ease the humanitarian conditions in the enclave. Advertisement Aid groups said last week there was mass hunger among Gaza's 2.2 million people and international alarm over the humanitarian situation has increased, driving French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognise a Palestinian state in September. A group of 25 states including Britain, France and Canada last week condemned the "drip feeding of aid" and said Israel's denial of essential humanitarian aid was unacceptable. The UN said last week humanitarian pauses in military activity would allow "the scale up of humanitarian assistance", adding that Israel had not been providing enough route alternatives for its convoys, hindering aid access. Israel, which cut off the aid flow to Gaza from the start of March and reopened it with new restrictions in May, says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent it from being diverted by militants. Advertisement It says it has let enough food into Gaza during the war and blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza's people. Israel and the US appeared on Friday to abandon ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, saying it had become clear that the militants did not want a deal. Hope and uncertainty Many Gazans expressed tentative relief about Sunday's announcement, but said the fighting must end permanently. "People are happy that large amounts of food aid will come into Gaza," said Tamer Al-Burai, a business owner. "We hope today marks a first step in ending this war that burned everything up." Some others voiced concern about how aid will be delivered and whether it will reach people safely. "When aid is airdropped, it causes injuries and damage," said displaced Gaza resident Suhaib Mohammed. Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticised the aid decision, which he said was made without his involvement. He called it a capitulation to Hamas' deceitful campaign and repeated his call to choke off all aid to Gaza, conquer the territory and encourage Palestinians to leave. World Israel to pause fighting in three Gaza areas as co... Read More A spokesperson for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a question about Ben-Gvir's comments. After letting in aid in May, Israel said there was enough food in Gaza but that the United Nations was failing to distribute it. The UN said it was operating as effectively as possible under Israeli restrictions. The war began on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters stormed southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's offensive has killed nearly 60,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health officials, reduced much of the enclave to ruins and displaced nearly the entire population.
South Wales Guardian
20-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Netanyahu hits back at Starmer over Gaza military offensive
Sir Keir, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, condemned the Israeli government's 'egregious' actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take 'concrete actions' unless Mr Netanyahu changes course. But the Israeli prime minister said his country would press on for 'total victory' over Hamas. In a joint statement, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney said: 'If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.' My joint statement with @Keir_Starmer and @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank: 'We strongly oppose 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… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 19, 2025 The leaders called on Hamas to release the hostages it took in the 'heinous attack' on October 7 2023. 'We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism,' the three leaders said. 'But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.' Mr Netanyahu hit back, saying: 'By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.' He added: 'The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised. 'No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won't. 'This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.' Israeli authorities have temporarily allowed us to deliver limited aid to Gaza after 11 weeks of blockade. A drop in the ocean. It must reach the civilians who need it so urgently, and we must be allowed to scale up. We are determined to save as many lives as we can. — Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) May 19, 2025 The UN's humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher – a former British diplomat – said nine aid trucks were cleared to enter after Israel's blockade was lifted, 'but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed'. 'Our expectations for today's crossings are realistic: given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant,' he warned.
North Wales Chronicle
20-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Netanyahu hits back at Starmer over Gaza military offensive
Sir Keir, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, condemned the Israeli government's 'egregious' actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take 'concrete actions' unless Mr Netanyahu changes course. But the Israeli prime minister said his country would press on for 'total victory' over Hamas. In a joint statement, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney said: 'If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.' My joint statement with @Keir_Starmer and @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank: 'We strongly oppose 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… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 19, 2025 The leaders called on Hamas to release the hostages it took in the 'heinous attack' on October 7 2023. 'We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism,' the three leaders said. 'But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.' Mr Netanyahu hit back, saying: 'By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.' He added: 'The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised. 'No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won't. 'This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.' Israeli authorities have temporarily allowed us to deliver limited aid to Gaza after 11 weeks of blockade. A drop in the ocean. It must reach the civilians who need it so urgently, and we must be allowed to scale up. We are determined to save as many lives as we can. — Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) May 19, 2025 The UN's humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher – a former British diplomat – said nine aid trucks were cleared to enter after Israel's blockade was lifted, 'but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed'. 'Our expectations for today's crossings are realistic: given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant,' he warned.
Powys County Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Netanyahu hits back at Starmer over Gaza military offensive
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Sir Keir Starmer of offering Hamas a 'huge prize' after the UK Prime Minister and allies called for an end to military operations in Gaza. Sir Keir, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, condemned the Israeli government's 'egregious' actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take 'concrete actions' unless Mr Netanyahu changes course. But the Israeli prime minister said his country would press on for 'total victory' over Hamas. My joint statement with @Keir_Starmer and @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank: 'We strongly oppose 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… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 19, 2025 In a joint statement, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney said: 'If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.' The leaders called on Hamas to release the hostages it took in the 'heinous attack' on October 7 2023. 'We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism,' the three leaders said. 'But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.' Mr Netanyahu hit back, saying: 'By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.' He added: 'The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised. 'No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won't. 'This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.' Israeli authorities have temporarily allowed us to deliver limited aid to Gaza after 11 weeks of blockade. A drop in the ocean. It must reach the civilians who need it so urgently, and we must be allowed to scale up. We are determined to save as many lives as we can. — Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) May 19, 2025 The UN's humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher – a former British diplomat – said nine aid trucks were cleared to enter after Israel's blockade was lifted, 'but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed'. 'Our expectations for today's crossings are realistic: given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant,' he warned.
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Netanyahu hits back at Starmer over Gaza military offensive
Sir Keir, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, condemned the Israeli government's 'egregious' actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take 'concrete actions' unless Mr Netanyahu changes course. But the Israeli prime minister said his country would press on for 'total victory' over Hamas. My joint statement with @Keir_Starmer and @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank: 'We strongly oppose 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… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 19, 2025 In a joint statement, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney said: 'If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.' The leaders called on Hamas to release the hostages it took in the 'heinous attack' on October 7 2023. 'We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism,' the three leaders said. 'But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.' Mr Netanyahu hit back, saying: 'By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.' He added: 'The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised. 'No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won't. 'This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.' Israeli authorities have temporarily allowed us to deliver limited aid to Gaza after 11 weeks of blockade. A drop in the ocean. It must reach the civilians who need it so urgently, and we must be allowed to scale up. We are determined to save as many lives as we can. — Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) May 19, 2025 The UN's humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher – a former British diplomat – said nine aid trucks were cleared to enter after Israel's blockade was lifted, 'but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed'. 'Our expectations for today's crossings are realistic: given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant,' he warned.
