Latest news with #humanitarian aid
Irish Times
44 minutes ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
No increase in aid reaching people of Gaza despite Israel commitment, EU report says
There has been no 'tangible' increase in the amount of humanitarian aid getting to the people of Gaza , despite recent commitments Israel gave to the European Union , an internal report has said. Earlier this month, senior EU politicians said the Israeli government had agreed to let 'substantially' more food and other vital aid into Gaza, to help alleviate the dire conditions facing Palestinian civilians in the besieged enclave. Kaja Kallas, the EU's top foreign affairs envoy, brokered the agreement with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar. It included commitments to let significantly more aid trucks into Gaza, open extra border crossings and restore power to a plant providing clean drinking water. The deal came days before the EU's 27 foreign ministers were due to consider possible sanctions against Israel, in response to the 22-month war it has waged in Gaza. READ MORE An internal EU report on the situation in Gaza said there had been no improvement on the ground. 'Despite recent agreement with Israel to increase aid delivery to Gaza there is still no tangible increase, with important stocks of relief items stuck and piling up at the borders,' it said. The small flow of trucks carrying food and other supplies faced problems distributing the aid, due to looting and encounters with large crowds desperate for food, it said. Israel, which controls all supplies entering Gaza, denies it is responsible for shortages of food. The report, written by EU officials based in Jerusalem, said the humanitarian situation in Gaza 'continues to be beyond catastrophic'. Ms Kallas and officials from the European Commission have declined to publicly outline key details of the recent aid agreement, such as how many more trucks Israel had committed to allow into Gaza. EU officials believe about 20 aid trucks had been permitted to cross into Gaza each day prior to the agreement. [ Israeli cruise ship turned away from Greek island by Gaza war protest Opens in new window ] Officials working for Ms Kallas briefed diplomats from EU states on Wednesday, stating 132 trucks had been allowed into Gaza by Israeli authorities, over a recent five-day period, two sources said. It is understood officials acknowledged this was well below the level of aid Israel had promised to allow into the enclave. Ambassadors from France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg, Spain, Belgium and Slovenia called for firmer action from the EU during the meeting. The suspension of an EU-Israel free trade deal is one option available to the union, or economic sanctions on Israeli politicians, an arms embargo on weapons sales to Israel, and restrictions on trade coming from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and other occupied Palestinian territories. EU negotiators had pressed Israel to commit to allow much more aid into Gaza, in the event of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants based in the strip. Humanitarian organisations and aid agencies continued to issue increasingly stark warnings about the lack of food and water on the ground. A recent statement signed by 111 organisations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, said Israel's restriction on aid was seeing mass starvation spread across the enclave. 'The Government of Israel's restrictions, delays and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death,' the organisations said. At least 59,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, which began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7th, 2023. Israel blocked all deliveries of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza for 11 weeks. This led a growing number of EU states to call for the bloc to put pressure on Israel to change course. A widely condemned system of aid distribution introduced since then has resulted in hundreds of Palestinians being shot and killed by Israeli forces while trying to reach distribution sites.
CBC
4 hours ago
- General
- CBC
Over 100 aid agencies call for Gaza ceasefire, warn of starvation risks
Social Sharing More than 100 largely aid and rights groups on Wednesday called for governments to take action as hunger spreads in Gaza, including by demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the lifting of all restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid. In a statement signed by 111 organizations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, the groups warned that mass starvation was spreading across the enclave even as tons of food, clean water, medical supplies and other items sit untouched just outside Gaza as humanitarian organizations are blocked from accessing or delivering them. "As the Israeli government's siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families," the statement read. "With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organizations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes," the organizations said. "The government of Israel's restrictions, delays and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation and death." Canadian aid worker in Gaza says she feels 'helpless' as hunger crisis deepens 11 hours ago Jack Latour, a Canadian nurse working with Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, says parents are resorting to desperate measures to feed their children as conditions on the ground deteriorate. 'We are seeing now families with multiple children that have severe acute malnutrition, instead of just maybe the youngest one,' Latour says. The organizations called for governments to demand that all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions be lifted, all land crossings be opened, access to everyone across Gaza to be ensured and for the rejection of military-controlled distribution and a restoration of a "principled, UN-led humanitarian response." Israel, which controls all supplies entering Gaza, denies it is responsible for shortages of food. More than 800 people have been killed in recent weeks trying to reach food, mostly in mass shootings by Israeli soldiers posted near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution centres. The foundation, backed by the United States, has been fiercely criticized by humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, for an alleged lack of neutrality. For the first time since the war began, Palestinian officials say dozens are now also dying of hunger. Gaza has seen its food stocks run out since Israel cut off all supplies to the territory in March, before lifting that blockade in May with new measures it says are needed to prevent aid from being diverted to militant groups. The Norwegian Refugee Council told Reuters on Tuesday its aid stocks were completely depleted in Gaza, with some of its staff now starving, and the organization accused Israel of paralyzing its work. Israeli forces have killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in airstrikes, shelling and shooting since launching their assault on Gaza. The military campaign was in response to Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. The Israeli government estimates about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, though it believes just over half of that total are no longer alive.
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
OCO issues clarification regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip
Muscat: In response to ongoing calls for urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) has issued a comprehensive clarification regarding its efforts and role in providing assistance. The OCO stated that since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza, it has actively initiated humanitarian efforts by providing urgent aid sourced from the local market until supplies were exhausted. The organisation has successfully operated 16 direct air bridges to Egypt and Jordan, delivering vital relief and medical aid. Furthermore, the OCO facilitated the reception of the first batch of war-wounded individuals for medical treatment within the Sultanate of Oman. The organisation noted that since the complete closure of crossings to all aid, it has shifted its strategy to dispatch humanitarian aid from various countries around the world. The OCO's efforts continue on a weekly and ongoing basis, in close coordination with key partners: The Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Amman The Jordanian Red Crescent The Palestinian Red Crescent This ongoing coordination is crucial for monitoring developments regarding the opening of crossings and ensuring the OCO's full readiness to deliver aid as swiftly as possible once access is granted. The OCO firmly affirmed its position as the only official body authorized to collect donations from individuals and institutions within the Sultanate of Oman for the purpose of delivering humanitarian aid outside the Sultanate, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The organisation also highlighted the Omani government's significant importance and continuous monitoring of this critical humanitarian issue. This oversight ensures that the OCO can effectively fulfil its role in achieving the objectives of Omani relief work in an organised and efficient manner.
CNA
7 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
More than 100 aid, rights groups call for action as hunger spreads in Gaza
More than 100 largely aid and rights groups on Wednesday (Jul 23) called for governments to take action as hunger spreads in Gaza, including by demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the lifting of all restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid. In a statement signed by 111 organisations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, the groups warned that mass starvation was spreading across the enclave even as tons of food, clean water, medical supplies and other items sit untouched just outside Gaza as humanitarian organisations are blocked from accessing or delivering them. "As the Israeli government's siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes," the organisations said. "The Government of Israel's restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death." The organisations called for governments to demand that all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions be lifted, all land crossings be opened, access to everyone across Gaza to be ensured and for the rejection of military-controlled distribution and a restoration of a "principled, UN-led humanitarian response". "States must pursue concrete measures to end the siege, such as halting the transfer of weapons and ammunition." Israel, which controls all supplies entering Gaza, denies it is responsible for shortages of food. More than 800 people have been killed in recent weeks trying to reach food, mostly in mass shootings by Israeli soldiers posted near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution centres. The foundation, backed by the United States, has been fiercely criticised by humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, for an alleged lack of neutrality. Israeli forces have killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in airstrikes, shelling and shooting since launching their assault on Gaza in response to attacks on Israel by the Hamas group that killed 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages in October 2023. For the first time since the war began, Palestinian officials say dozens are now also dying of hunger. Gaza has seen its food stocks run out since Israel cut off all supplies to the territory in March and then lifted that blockade in May with new measures it says are needed to prevent aid from being diverted to militant groups.
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Israel blocking aid from Gaza is creating ‘chaos and death', say 111 humanitarian groups
Humanitarian organizations from around the world are yet again calling for Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza in the face of increasing starvation and Israeli military attacks on Palestinians seeking aid. A letter signed by 111 agencies including Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam International, and Amnesty International says that the Israeli government is blocking humanitarian organizations from effectively distributing life-saving aid. 'Just outside Gaza, in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sit untouched with humanitarian organisations blocked from accessing or delivering them,' the agencies wrote. 'The Government of Israel's restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death.' The letter comes as attention towards starvation in Gaza and Israeli killing of civilians continues to grow, but the situation on the ground remains largely the same. UN secretary general, António Guterres, described Gaza as a 'horror show' when speaking to the UN Security council. 'Malnourishment is soaring and starvation is knocking on every door in Gaza,' Guterres said. 'And now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles. That system is being denied the conditions to function. Denied the space to deliver. Denied the safety to save lives.' Aid in Israel is now distributed by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), whose sites have been described as 'death traps' by UN officials. Previous Guardian reporting chronicled the dangers faced by Palestinians seeking aid from GHF sites. UN officials report that the Israeli military has killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to reach food distribution sites since the end of May. Israeli forces killed at least 32 people on Saturday morning that were seeking aid. Israel has killed at least 72 Palestinians in the last 24 hours according to the Gaza health ministry. Israel also attacked World Health Organization facilities in Deir al-Bahah, and canceled the visa of the most senior UN aid official in Gaza. On 21 July, 28 countries including the UK and other Israeli allies, issued a statement calling for an end to the war in Gaza and labeling the Israeli government's 'denial of essential humanitarian assistance' as 'unacceptable'. The statement also spoke against Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, as well as Israeli plans to move Palestinians into a 'humanitarian city'. The statement, while strongly worded, did not threaten sanctions or mention any concrete policy steps that would be taken against the Israeli government if it does not change course. Today's letter from the humanitarian organizations calls for direct action. 'Piecemeal arrangements and symbolic gestures, like airdrops or flawed aid deals, serve as a smokescreen for inaction. They cannot replace states' legal and moral obligations to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure meaningful access at scale,' the letter says. 'States can and must save lives before there are none left to save.' Israel's military said that it 'views the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza as a matter of utmost importance', and works to facilitate its entry in coordination with the international community. It has denied accusations it is preventing aid from reaching Gaza and has accused Palestinian group Hamas of stealing food, an allegation Hamas denies.
