Latest news with #StephaneDujarric
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UN's Guterres urges against expanding Israel-Iran war internationally
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the potential involvement of the United States in Israeli attacks against Iran. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters during a briefing, 'The Secretary-General's firm stance is to avoid further internationalization of this conflict.' Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the UN Security Council will convene on Friday to discuss the Israel-Iran war, as three European countries prepare for nuclear talks with Iran. The agency noted that the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom will meet with their Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday, with support from the United States. Earlier, US President Donald Trump told reporters that he does not rule out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including uranium enrichment centers. CNN, citing two informed sources, reported that the US military is preparing for the possibility of receiving presidential authorization to provide in-flight refueling to Israeli warplanes during potential strikes on Iran. The network added that this preparation is among the key reasons for the recent deployment of more than 30 aerial refueling aircraft to the Middle East. According to the sources, the refueling operation would be part of a broader US military involvement if a decision is made to directly participate in the escalation against Iran.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gaza aid group halts distribution to civilians, UN to vote on ceasefire demand
The GHF said it asked the IDF to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks" near military perimeters; develop clearer guidance for civilians. The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will not give out any aid on Wednesday as it presses Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites, a day after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed. The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks" near military perimeters; develop clearer guidance for civilians; and enhance training to support civilian safety. "Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," said a GHF spokesperson. An Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians against moving in areas leading to GHF sites on Wednesday, deeming them "combat zones." The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it opened fire on a group of people it viewed as a threat near a GHF food aid distribution site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured. The GHF said the incident was "well beyond" its site. Palestinians who collected food GHF boxes on Tuesday described scenes of pandemonium, with no-one overseeing the handover of supplies or checking IDs, as crowds jostled for aid. The UN Security Council is also set to vote on Wednesday on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian terrorists Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where aid has trickled amid chaos and bloodshed after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on the enclave where famine looms. "It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday, adding that the aid distribution model backed by the US and Israel was "all a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on." That model is run by the newly created GHF, which started operations in the enclave a week ago and said on Tuesday that it has given out more than seven million meals from three so-called secure distribution sites. GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza: "Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it." The UN and other aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and the distribution model militarizes aid. GHF uses private US security and logistics companies to get aid to the distribution sites. It is the latest in a string of efforts to get more aid into the enclave, where experts say the entire population of some 2.1 million people is at risk of famine. Jordan last year spearheaded humanitarian air drops, while the US briefly installed a floating aid pier, but it was beset by challenges. The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. Israel said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza. Gaza health officials said at least 18 more Palestinians were killed in other military strikes in the territory on Tuesday. Reuters could not independently verify the reports in northern and southern Gaza. The 10 elected members of the UN Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid and its safe and unhindered distribution, including by the UN, throughout Gaza. "The time to act has already passed," Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told Reuters. "It is our historical responsibility not to remain silent." As US President Donald Trump's administration tries to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, it was not immediately clear if Washington would veto the draft text. A spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said: "We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration." A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France - to pass.
Kuwait Times
05-06-2025
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Outrage over more Zionist carnage as Gazans seek food
GAZA: Rescuers said the Zionist military killed at least 27 people near a US-backed aid center in Gaza on Tuesday, with the army reporting it had fired on 'suspects who advanced toward the troops'. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as 'unacceptable' the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory 'unthinkable'. The White House said it is aware of reports of Zionist troops firing on Palestinian aid seekers. The UN human rights chief condemned such attacks on civilians as 'a war crime' after a similar shooting in the same area on Sunday killed and wounded scores of Palestinians seeking aid, according to the civil defense agency. 'We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid. It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food,' UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. 'We're going to look into reports before we confirm them from this podium or before we take action,' said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt at a press briefing. Tuesday's deaths in the southern city of Rafah came as rescuers reported 19 people killed in other Zionist attacks in the territory, and as the Zionist army announced three soldiers had been killed in northern Gaza. 'Twenty-seven people were killed and more than 90 injured in the massacre targeting civilians who were waiting for American aid in the Al-Alam area of Rafah,' said civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal, who earlier told AFP the deaths occurred 'when (Zionist) forces opened fire with tanks and drones'. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Gaza's Rafah city recorded 27 deaths on Tuesday, matching the toll given by rescuers. 'Early this morning, the 60-bed Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah received a mass casualty influx of 184 patients. This includes 19 cases who were declared dead upon arrival and eight more who died due to their wounds shortly after,' the ICRC said. The organization added in a statement that survivors of the early morning incident said they had been 'trying to reach an assistance distribution site'. The ICRC said Tuesday's shooting caused 'the highest number of weapon-wounded patients received in a single incident' since the field hospital opened more than a year ago. 'The unprecedented scale and frequency of recent mass casualty incidents treated at the field hospital is deeply worrying and illustrates the harrowing reality that civilians in Gaza are being forced to endure,' it added. The Al-Alam roundabout is about a kilometer from a center run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a recently formed group that the Zionist entity has worked with to implement a new aid distribution mechanism in the territory. The United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the group over concerns it was designed to cater to Zionist military objectives. At Nasser Hospital, the husband and children of Reem Al-Akhras, who was killed at Al-Alam, were beside themselves with grief. 'How can I let you go, mum?' her son Zain Zidan said through tears as he cradled her white-shrouded head outside the hospital. 'She went to bring us some food, and this is what happened to her.' Akhras's husband, Mohamed Zidan, said 'every day, unarmed people' were being killed. 'They carry no weapons or knives — just bags to collect aid. 'This is not humanitarian aid; it's a trap,' he said. Rania Al-Astal, 30, said she had gone to Al-Alam with her husband to try to get food. 'The shooting began intermittently around 5:00 am. Every time people approached Al-Alam roundabout, they were fired upon,' she told AFP. 'But people didn't care and rushed forward all at once — that's when the army began firing heavily.' Fellow witness Mohammed al-Shaer, 44, said at first 'the (Zionist) army fired shots into the air, then began shooting directly at the people'. In the end, he said, 'I didn't reach the center, and we didn't get any food.' The previous shooting on Sunday killed at least 31 people at the Al-Alam roundabout as they congregated before heading to the aid center, rescuers said. 'Deadly attacks on distraught civilians trying to access the paltry amounts of food aid in Gaza are unconscionable,' UN human rights chief Volker Turk said after Tuesday's deaths. 'Attacks directed against civilians constitute a grave breach of international law and a war crime.' GHF on Tuesday named an evangelical Christian leader as its new chairman. The appointment of Reverend Johnnie Moore 'underscores GHF's determination to pair operational excellence with experienced, service-oriented leadership,' the group's acting executive director John Acree said in a statement. 'His insight will be invaluable as we build on our early success.' Moore has had a confrontational approach to the United Nations. After Guterres expressed revulsion at 'reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza' on Sunday, Moore responded angrily. 'Mr Secretary General, it was a lie,' the reverend posted to Guterres on X, 'spread by terrorists & you're still spreading it. Correct this.' On Tuesday a leading US management consulting firm that helped create the GHF said it has terminated its contract with the organization and placed the partner leading the project on leave. Boston Consulting Group helped establish the GHF in Oct 2024. 'Unapproved follow-on work relating to Gaza lacked buy-in from multilateral stakeholders and was stopped on May 30. BCG has not and will not be paid for any of this work,' the group said in a statement. BCG said a formal review of the work has begun, and 'the partner who led this work has been placed on administrative leave.' The Zionist entity has come under mounting pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where people are facing severe shortages after the Zionist entity imposed a more than two-month blockade on supplies. The health ministry in Gaza said at least 4,240 people have been killed in the territory since the Zionist entity resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,510, mostly civilians. – Agencies
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
US-backed GHF halts aid distribution in Gaza after multiple firing incidents
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has halted aid distribution after the recent firing incidents, which have killed over 80 Palestinians. As per a statement from the controversial aid agency, the GHF said that aid distribution will be halted due to "ongoing updates" such as "renovation, reorganization and efficiency improvement." However, a spokesperson for the US-backed agency told Reuters that the closure was to review security measures. "Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," a GHF spokesperson was quoted as saying by the news agency. In the past week, over 80 people have been killed, allegedly by Israeli forces, while seeking aid at GHF distribution centres. As per Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, the GHF centres are a "death trap" for Palestinians as Israeli soldiers target civilians gathered for food. The Israeli military has denied all allegations against it and has stated it has only fired "warning shots" to disperse "rowdy crowds." Hospital officials told AP that of the 80 people shot dead near aid distribution centres since Sunday, a majority of the deaths were of women and children. The UN Security Council is set to take a vote on Wednesday regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. "It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food," said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Tuesday, adding that the aid distribution model backed by Washington and Israel was "all a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on."
Dubai Eye
04-06-2025
- General
- Dubai Eye
US-backed Gaza aid group halts distribution on Wednesday
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will not give out any aid on Wednesday as it presses Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution site. The move follows a deadly incident on Tuesday in which 27 Palestinians seeking aid near the GHF food site were killed by Israeli forces. The Israeli military said the group was perceived as a threat. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported dozens more were injured. The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that dozens were injured. The GHF said the incident was "well beyond" its site. The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks" near military perimeters; develop clearer guidance for civilians; and enhance training to support civilian safety. "Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," said a GHF spokesperson. An Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians against moving in areas leading to GHF sites on Wednesday, deeming them "combat zones". Palestinians who collected food GHF boxes on Tuesday described scenes of disorder, with no-one overseeing the handover of supplies or checking IDs, as crowds jostled for aid. The UN Security Council is also set to vote on Wednesday on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where aid has trickled amid chaos and bloodshed after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on the enclave where famine looms. "It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday, adding that the aid distribution model backed by the US and Israel was "all a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on". That model is run by the newly created GHF, which started operations in the enclave a week ago and said on Tuesday that it has given out more than seven million meals from three so-called secure distribution sites. GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza, "Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it." US Veto? The UN and other aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and the distribution model militarizes aid. GHF uses private US security and logistics companies to get aid to the distribution sites. It is the latest in a string of efforts to get more aid into the enclave, where experts say the entire population of some 2.1 million people is at risk of famine. Jordan last year spearheaded humanitarian air drops, while the U.S. briefly installed a floating aid pier, but it was beset by challenges. The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. Israel said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza. Gaza health officials said at least 18 more Palestinians were killed in other military strikes in the territory on Tuesday. Reuters could not independently verify the reports in northern and southern Gaza. The 10 elected members of the UN Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid and its safe and unhindered distribution, including by the UN, throughout Gaza. "The time to act has already passed," Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told Reuters. "It is our historical responsibility not to remain silent." As US President Donald Trump's administration tries to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, it was not immediately clear if Washington would veto the draft text. A spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said, "We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration." A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members - the US, Russia, China, Britain or France - to pass. The war on Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
