Latest news with #Gaza-related
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
Saqr Al Qasimi: Gaza central to UAE's humanitarian efforts
UAE continues to lead relief efforts Amid the suffering, UAE-led humanitarian initiatives have played a vital role. Sharjah Charity International (SCI) has been at the forefront through the 'Tarahum for Gaza' campaign and 'Gallant Knight 3' operation, both under the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, affirming the country's enduring humanitarian commitment. Sharjah Charity's response In conjunction with World Refugee Day on 20 June, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Charity International (SCI), reiterated the religious and humanitarian duty to support Gaza. He described the organisation as a key contributor to the UAE's broader efforts to aid those affected and restore life in the region. Over 116,000 support packages delivered Sheikh Saqr stated that the charity had implemented a wide range of relief projects, delivering around 116,000 diverse aid packages. These included over 32,000 food parcels distributed to displaced families and 10,000 blankets and heavy garments to help residents survive winter without heating. Supporting children amid crisis The charity also addressed children's urgent needs by supplying 1,728 packs of baby formula, a product absent from local markets. Additionally, the charity distributed 3,000 fully stocked school bags to children returning to education under challenging circumstances. Water relief and infrastructure support The charity tackled water shortages by operating water tankers and restoring damaged wells. Recently, it launched a fundraising drive to dig 12 new wells, expected to benefit more than 312,000 people across Gaza. Food security through field kitchens and bakeries Efforts to ensure food security included running 20 field kitchens serving daily meals to approximately 45,000 people and operating 10 bakeries producing bread for nearly 9,500 beneficiaries, addressing the acute bread shortage. UAE's global humanitarian vision Sheikh Saqr affirmed that these efforts reflect the UAE's broader commitment to immediate relief and long-term support in crisis zones. He noted continued coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international partners to expand operations and meet urgent needs. Call to sustain solidarity with Gaza He urged ongoing support for Gaza-related initiatives, emphasising that the aid carries not just material relief but also messages of hope and solidarity from the UAE's people. The 'Tarahum for Gaza' campaign and the 'Gallant Knight 3' operation stand as enduring symbols of meaningful humanitarian action.
Boston Globe
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire
The U.S. vetoed the last resolution on Gaza in November, under the Biden administration, also because the ceasefire demand was not directly linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Similarly, the current resolution demands those taken by Hamas and other groups be released, but it does not make it a condition for a truce. President Donald Trump's administration has tried to ramp up its efforts to broker peace in Gaza after 20 months of war. However, Hamas has sought amendments to a U.S. proposal that special envoy Steve Witkoff has called 'totally unacceptable.' Advertisement The vote followed a decision by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation to pause food delivery at its three distribution sites in the Gaza Strip after health officials said dozens of Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week. Israel and the United States say they supported the establishment of the new aid system to prevent Hamas from stealing aid previously distributed by the U.N. Advertisement The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The U.N. says its distribution system throughout Gaza worked very well during the March ceasefire and is carefully monitored. The resolution demanded the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions. Israel's U.N. Mission said Ambassador Danny Danon, who will speak after the vote, will say the resolution undermines humanitarian relief efforts and ignores Hamas, which is still endangering civilians in Gaza. He also will say the resolution disregards the ceasefire negotiations that are already underway, the mission said. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. 'The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat,' U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement Wednesday. He called for a flood of aid to be let in and for the world body to be the one delivering it. The Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four since the war began. That is when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Advertisement They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers. AP writer Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Nahar Net
04-06-2025
- General
- Nahar Net
UN Security Council to vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution amid humanitarian crisis
The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." U.N. diplomats said the United States is likely to veto it. The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza "catastrophic," the proposed resolution also demands "the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the U.N. and humanitarian partners." The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions. Several U.N. diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's U.N. Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous and what's getting into Gaza from the U.N. "is still just a trickle." Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads – mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items __ have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. "The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately," Dujarric said. "The U.N. must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles." Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties." Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favor last Nov. 20, but the U.S. vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers.
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Business Standard
04-06-2025
- General
- Business Standard
UNSC to vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution amid humanitarian crisis
The UN Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." UN diplomats said the United States is likely to veto it. The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their October 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza "catastrophic," the proposed resolution also demands "the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the UN and humanitarian partners." The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and US-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions. Several UN diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The US Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's UN Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous, and what's getting into Gaza from the UN "is still just a trickle." Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately," Dujarric said. The UN must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles." Since October 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire to be respected by all parties." Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favour last November 20, but the US vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the October 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UN Security Council to vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution amid humanitarian crisis
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands 'an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.' U.N. diplomats said the United States is likely to veto it. The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza 'catastrophic,' the proposed resolution also demands 'the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the U.N. and humanitarian partners.' The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions. Several U.N. diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's U.N. Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous and what's getting into Gaza from the U.N. 'is still just a trickle.' Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads – mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items __ have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. 'The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately,' Dujarric said. 'The U.N. must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles.' Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded 'an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties.' Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favor last Nov. 20, but the U.S. vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers. ___
