Latest news with #FrancescaAlbanese
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Israeli fire kills 12 in Gaza, including five near aid distribution points
GAZA CITY, GAZA – JUNE 11: Palestinians receive their relatives' body, who were killed in Israeli attack, from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza Strip on June 11, 2025. 25 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli attack in Netzarim Corridor. ( Abdalhkem Abu Riash – Anadolu Agency ) Listen to article Israeli fire and airstrikes have killed at least 12 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, including five near aid distribution sites operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), medical sources said on Sunday. Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza said three people were killed and dozens injured by Israeli gunfire as they approached a GHF aid site near the Netzarim corridor. Two more were killed near another GHF location in Rafah, in the southern part of the enclave, according to Wafa news agency and Al Jazeera. Witnesses said they were waiting for food when Israeli troops opened fire. Elsewhere, seven people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, medics reported. The Israeli military has not commented on the incidents. The number of Palestinians killed while trying to access humanitarian assistance has risen in recent weeks, amid repeated strikes near aid points. Recounting violence at aid sites in Gaza Since GHF began operating on May 27, over 130 people have been killed and more than 700 injured while trying to access aid, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Read: Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound humanitarian vessel Madleen in international waters The Israeli military said troops responded to individuals who 'advanced in a threatening way' in an area designated an 'active combat zone'. Witnesses dispute this, saying the shooting occurred in daylight and that no warning was issued. UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, condemned the GHF operation as 'humanitarian camouflage' and 'an essential tactic of this genocide'. She accused Western powers of enabling the continued destruction of Gaza. Israel's war on Gaza According to the Gaza-based health authorities, at least 55,207 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of whom are reported to be women and children. Israel has killed 4,603 Palestinians and injured 14,186 since breaking a ceasefire in March this year, it added. Israel's atrocities have displaced around 90% of Gaza's estimated 2 million residents, created a severe hunger crisis, and caused widespread destruction across the territory. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave
Al Arabiya
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
UN expert and trauma surgeon shed light on Gaza's deepening crisis
In this episode of Global News Today, presented by Tom Burges Watson, we examine the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We speak with UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese about the legal and human rights concerns in the occupied Palestinian territories. Albanese shares urgent insights on civilian suffering, Gaza's dire conditions, and the issue of global accountability. We also hear from a trauma surgeon who's worked inside Gaza's overstretched hospitals. The doctor shares harrowing first-hand experiences – from operating amid bombardment to the emotional weight of treating wounded children. And we cover Israeli forces intercepting a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who was prevented from reaching the besieged enclave. Guests: Feroze Sidhwa – Trauma surgeon who addressed the UN Security Council meeting last week on what he has seen in Gaza working as a MedGlobal volunteer in Khan Younis.
Days of Palestine
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Albanese Urges UK to Act Swiftly for Release of 'Madleen' Ship Seized by Israel
DaysofPal — Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, has called on the British government to take immediate diplomatic action to secure the release of the humanitarian ship Madleen and its crew, after it was seized by Israeli occupation forces in international waters. In an official statement today, Albanese stressed that the Madleen posed 'no threat whatsoever to Israel's security,' underscoring that 'Israel has no legal authority to intercept a civilian vessel in international waters.' She demanded a formal explanation from Israeli authorities and urged the UK to intervene decisively to ensure the ship and its passengers—who were on a legitimate humanitarian mission to Gaza—are released without delay. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the voyage, confirmed earlier today that Israeli naval forces had intercepted and boarded the ship en route to Gaza, detaining all activists onboard. Multiple Israeli navy vessels surrounded the Madleen, severing communications and taking control of the vessel in what witnesses described as a highly aggressive operation. Footage from the scene showed alarms sounding on the ship, with passengers donning life jackets in anticipation of an assault. The vessel was reportedly towed to Ashdod Port under military escort. According to Israeli Army Radio, the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit executed the operation, and all passengers are now in custody, with identity verification and interrogations underway at a naval base. The ship's activists had previously issued an appeal to the international community, urging immediate intervention to prevent the illegal seizure of humanitarian aid. They emphasized that blocking aid to the besieged Gaza Strip amid an escalating humanitarian crisis is a flagrant violation of international law. The incident has drawn renewed scrutiny over the legal and ethical legitimacy of Israel's ongoing naval blockade of Gaza, particularly in the context of the current war, which has seen unprecedented civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Albanese's urgent appeal follows growing international concern over Israel's actions in Gaza and the treatment of humanitarian actors attempting to break the blockade. Human rights groups have reiterated that the forcible seizure of civilian vessels in international waters, particularly those on humanitarian missions, constitutes a breach of maritime law and the Geneva Conventions. Shortlink for this post:
The Herald
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg, ministry says
'The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2am,' Hassan posted on X. A photograph showed the crew seated on the boat, all wearing life jackets, with their hands in the air. The yacht is carrying a small shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula. The foreign ministry said it would be taken to Gaza. 'The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,' it wrote. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas. Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007. The blockade has remained in place through many conflicts, including the current war, which began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally. Gaza's health ministry said more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel's military campaign. The UN has warned most of Gaza's more than 2-million residents are facing famine. The Israeli government said the blockade is essential to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas. The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has supported the FFC operation and on Sunday urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade. She wrote on X: 'Madleen's journey may have ended, but the mission isn't over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid and solidarity to Gaza.' Reuters
Euronews
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Aid boat carrying Thunberg and other activists to Gaza intercepted
Activists on board the Madleen vessel en route to Gaza, to provide humanitarian goods, say they have been intercepted by Israeli officials. Posting on Telegram, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) campaign organisation announced "connection has been lost" on the Madleen. A photo of people sitting with their hands up in life jackets was uploaded. Concern first mounted overnight for the safety of the Freedom Flotilla's Madleen crew after alarms went off on the boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists en route to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the situation caused panic and led many of them to take cover and put on life jackets in preparation for an intervention. In a post on social media, it wrote, 'Alarm has been sounded on the Madleen. Life jackets are on, preparing for interception.' Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on occupied territories, who claimed to be in contact with the flotilla's communication room in Catania, noted that around five vessels had been circling the aid boat, and two drones hovered over the vessel. On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms. 'To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists — I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,' he said in a statement. Climate activist Thunberg is one of 12 activists on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition-run Madleen. The boat left Sicily last Sunday on a mission to provide humanitarian goods and lift the naval blockade of Gaza while bringing attention to the escalating humanitarian situation two months into the Israel-Hamas conflict. In May, the Freedom Flotilla's attempt to reach Gaza by sea failed when two drones struck one of the group's ships as it was cruising in international waters off Malta. The said attack damaged the frontal part of the vessel, which the group blamed on Israel, a claim that Israel strongly refuted. Portugal defeated Spain in penalty kicks 5- 3 to win the UEFA Nations League final late on Sunday after both sides failed to score in extra time following a showdown that ended 2-2. After Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Goncalo Ramos all smoothly scored their penalties, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Spain's Álvaro Morata's spot kick before Neves converted his team's fifth to seal the win. The win marks the second Nations League trophy for Portugal after lifting the inaugural edition in 2019. Its victory against Spain, the reigning European champions, was hard-fought, as the Seleção had come back twice from behind. Cristiano Ronaldo sent the match to extra time when he equalised in the 61st minute with his record-extending 138th goal for Portugal. The 40-year-old Ronaldo went off to a standing ovation and a hug from coach Roberto Martínez in the 88th. The keenly contested final seemed destined for Spain after Mikel Oyarzabal had given Spain a 2-1 halftime lead. Oyarzabal squeezed the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 45th minute after Pedri played him through on goal. It was also Spain who drew the first blood after Martin Zubimendi broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with a tap-in when Portugal's defence failed to deal with Lamine Yamal's cross. Five minutes later, Portugal responded with Nuno Mendes levelling by drilling a low shot inside the far post. Lamine Yamal, the Spanish sensation and favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, was mostly marked out of the game by Portugal full-back Mendes, ensuring Yamal could pose no major threat before being subbed off in extra time. Earlier on Sunday, Kylian Mbappé led France to defeat host Germany 2-0 in Stuttgart, securing third place. The Real Madrid forward helped Les Bleus bounce back from a sluggish first half by scoring one goal and setting up another for Michael Olise. The goal was Mbappe's 50th for France in international competition.
