Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Aboul-Gheit.(photo:Twitter)
Aboul Gheit added that it is surprising that some western nations have decided to suspend their funding to UNRWA in this critical period …reports Asian Lite News
Arab League warned of the perilous consequences of the incitement campaign unleashed against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), along with the decisions taken by some countries to suspend their financial contributions to UNRWA over the claim of the Israeli occupation that some of its staff were allegedly involved in October attacks.
The systematic incitement led by the Israeli occupation primarily intends to eliminate UNRWA’s role almost entirely after its facilities and personnel have been targeted in the attacks within the framework of the relentless aggression on the Gaza Strip, said Secretary-General of Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Aboul Gheit added that it is surprising that some western nations have decided to suspend their funding to UNRWA in this critical period based on unleashed accusations that target a limited number of individuals. He noted that, if such accusations are presumably valid, they do not reflect the nature of UNRWA that includes nearly 300,000 personnel, most of them are Palestinians.
Secretary-General of Arab League pointed out that such a campaign is not new, given the fact that the intention to liquidate UNRWA’s operation that serves millions of Palestinians in its five areas of operation, recurred differently over the past years whose purpose is debunked, which is to push the international community towards abandoning their responsibility in aiding the Palestinian refugees and shouldering the entire responsibility on the countries that are in sympathy with the Palestinian cause, primarily the Arab states.
UNRWA was established by a UN resolution in 1949, while the responsibility for the livelihood of Palestinian refugees falls on the international community and donor countries, pending a just solution for their cause, Aboul Gheit noted, adding that evading from this responsibility amid the bloody war implies forsaking them to face hunger and displacement and carry out the Israeli scheme to entirely liquidate their cause.
Some carried Palestinian flags and shouted slogans denouncing Israel….reports Asian Lite News
Around 20,000 people marched in Madrid Saturday in support of Palestinians, a day after the UN’s top court said Israel must prevent genocidal acts in its war with Hamas.
Many of the marchers carried banners and placards denouncing the “genocide” in Gaza, which has been under relentless bombardment and siege since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
Some carried Palestinian flags and shouted slogans denouncing Israel. Others had banners thanking South Africa for having brought the case against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
South Africa accused Israel of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, set up after World War II and the Holocaust.
In its ruling on Friday, the ICJ said Israel must prevent genocide in its war with Hamas and allow aid into Gaza, but stopped short of calling for an end to the fighting.
The ruling was denounced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “outrageous” and while many countries welcomed the ruling, others, such as Britain expressed reservations.
Spain, one of the most critical voices in Europe of Israel’s offensive against Hamas, was one of those to welcome Friday’s ruling.
Relations between the two countries have soured over Madrid’s position on the issue.
Israel recalled its top diplomat in Madrid in November after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed doubts about the legality of Israel’s war in Gaza. She returned in January.
“They have been without water, without food, without anything, for almost 110 days,” one Madrid demonstrator, 54-year-old Lobna Elnakhala, said of the situation in Gaza. “Children are dying and living in a very difficult situation.”
Some banners called for sanctions to be levied against Israel. The Madrid authorities put the turn-out at 20,000.
Israel’s military campaign began soon after Hamas’s October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians. Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.
Israel has vowed to crush Hamas, and Hamas-ruled Gaza’s health ministry says the Israeli military offensive has killed at least 26,257 people, most of them women and children.
Earlier reports suggested progress in Israel-Hamas talks for a 30-day ceasefire, including the release of hostages and prisoners, along with increased aid to Gaza. However, on Wednesday, the likelihood of such an agreement seemed remote…reports Asian Lite News
Intense Israeli airstrikes in Gaza overnight resulted in a reported 125 casualties, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled region. This happened when talks in Cairo aimed at achieving a ceasefire were ongoing.
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA noted that Israeli forces issued new evacuation orders for a part of Khan Younis, impacting around half a million residents and displaced individuals amid the ongoing conflict.
Israeli forces also cut off southern Gaza’s main hospitals in their assault on Khan Younis, Palestinian officials said, and closed the main escape route for hundreds of thousands of residents and people who have sought refuge there, the Arab News reported.
In response to questions about the fire at the center — run by UNRWA, the UN relief organization for the Palestinians — the Israeli military said the wider area was a significant base of Hamas militants.
“Dismantling Hamas’ military framework in western Khan Yunis is the heart of the logic behind the operation,” it said.
Earlier reports suggested progress in Israel-Hamas talks for a 30-day ceasefire, including the release of hostages and prisoners, along with increased aid to Gaza. However, on Wednesday, the likelihood of such an agreement seemed remote.
In their biggest operation in a month, Israeli tanks have pushed through Khan Younis, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering after leaving the north — the early focus of the war, it was reported.
Meanwhile, The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will on Friday rule whether or not to grant emergency measures against Israel following accusations by South Africa that the Israeli military operation in Gaza is a state-led “genocide.”
A “public sitting” will take place at 1 pm on Friday at the Peace Palace in The Hague during which Judge Joan E. Donoghue will read the court order, a release issued by the ICJ said.
“On Friday 26 January 2024, the International Court of Justice will deliver its Order on the Request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel),” the release said.
“A public sitting will take place at 1 p.m. at the Peace Palace in The Hague, during which Judge Joan E. Donoghue, the President of the Court, will read the Court's Order,” the release added.
South Africa has lodged an urgent appeal to the ICJ to force Israel to “immediately suspend” its military operations in the Gaza Strip.
South Africa has based its accusation both on actions taken by Israel throughout the war and controversial comments made by Israeli officials regarding Palestinians in Gaza and how they should be treated.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently declared an unwavering commitment to dismantling Hamas, asserting that “nobody will stop us”, CNN reported.
In a press briefing, Netanyahu dismissed potential interference from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other entities, including what he referred to as the “axis of evil” led by Iran.
“Nobody will stop us – not The Hague, not the axis of evil, and not anybody else,” Netanyahu stated emphatically, rebuffing the genocide accusations levelled against Israel at the ICJ.
He characterised the claims as a “hypocritical onslaught” orchestrated by those seeking to perpetrate another Holocaust against the Jewish people, as reported by CNN.
Describing the situation as a “moral low point in the history of nations,” Netanyahu highlighted alleged instances of antisemitism discovered in Hamas-controlled areas.
He claimed that anti-Semitic materials, including copies of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” were found in Hamas tunnels in Gaza. Additionally, Netanyahu asserted that a child’s tablet with a screensaver featuring Hitler was discovered in a home in Gaza.
Despite acknowledging the persistence of antisemitism, Netanyahu underscored the resilience of the Jewish people, vowing to continue the fight “until the end.”
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar has reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution and also exchanged views on humanitarian and political dimensions
On the sidelines of the NAM summit in Uganda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki on Saturday and held a comprehensive discussion on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In conversation with the Palestinian leader, EAM reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution and also exchanged views on humanitarian and political dimensions
Taking to X, EAM shared about his meeting with the leader saying, “Good to meet with Palestinian FM Dr. Riyad al-Maliki in Kampala this afternoon. Had a detailed and comprehensive discussion on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Exchanged views on its humanitarian and political dimensions. Reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution. Agreed to remain in touch.”
Earlier today, EAM Jaishankar called on Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Ugandan capital, Kampala.
“Pleased to call on Sri Lankan President @RW_UNP on the sidelines of the NAM Summit in Kampala,” Jaishankar posted from his official X handle on Saturday.
“Appreciate his continued guidance for the advancement of our bilateral initiatives. India’s commitment is reflected in our Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policy,” the EAM added.
In a series of bilateral meetings and engagements at the ongoing NAM summit in Uganda, Jaishankar met with his counterparts from Bolivia, Azerbaijan, Venezuela, Serbia and Behrain on Friday.
In his meetings with the leaders, Jaishankar exchanged views on regional and global issues and discussed bilateral relations.
The EAM also called on Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and held discussions on ongoing developments in the region.
“Always good to meet Bahraini FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Discussed ongoing developments in the region,” Jaishankar posted from his X handle.
Jaishankar also shared the key takeaways from his meeting with the Venezuelan FM saying, “Good meeting with Venezuelan FM @yvangil. Discussed our economic, energy and development cooperation. Exchanged views on regional and global issues.”
During a sit-down with his Azerbaijan counterpart, EAM Jaishankar discussed bilateral relations and regional matters.
He also held a meeting with Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda, with the discussions centering around cooperation in the development and traditional medicine.
The EAM also shared glimpses from the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, which commenced here on Friday.
The External Affairs Minister has been holding meetings with various foreign dignitaries at the two-day summit.
Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation at the SuThe 19th NAM Summit under Uganda’s leadership. The event this year, themed on ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence’, has brought together delegates from more than 120 developing countries on a platform of crucial historic significance.
The NAM is a forum of 120 countries not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.
India wholeheartedly supports Uganda’s theme for NAM and looks forward to engaging with the countries in the bloc, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement earlier, adding that as one of the leading and founding members of NAM, India remains committed to the principles and values of the movement.
In Kampala, Jaishankar also met Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, with the two leaders exchanging views on the ongoing high-level discussions on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. They held further discussions to expedite the completion of ongoing development projects in the Maldives and cooperation within SAARC and NAM.
Jaishankar also called on Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio and held discussions on the expanding collaboration between the two countries as well as the broader India-Africa cooperation.
“Good meeting with Angolan FM @amb_tete. Discussed the expanding India-Angola and India-Africa cooperation. Also spoke about cooperation in multilateral fora. Thanked him for extending visa-free arrangement for Indian nationals,” Jaishankar posted from his X handle. (ANI)
Since the war erupted in Gaza on October 7, 2023, a total of 59,604 people have been injured….reports Asian Lite News
Amid the unabated fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the death toll in the besieged enclave increased to 23,469 on Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
According to the Ministry, at least 112 Palestinians were killed in the last 24 hours, contributing to the overall death toll, while 194 people were also injured.
Of the total casualties, some 70 per cent are said to be women and children, the Ministry said in its latest situation update.
Since the war erupted in Gaza on October 7, 2023, a total of 59,604 people have been injured.
Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qedra said 6,200 people among the overall injured were in urgent need to receive treatment outside Gaza.
“The situation in hospitals in the southern Gaza Strip is extremely catastrophic as a result of overcrowding with the wounded and tens of thousands of displaced people,” he noted.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functional.
Hospitals are facing challenges such as a shortage of medical staff, including specialised surgeons, neurosurgeons, and intensive care staff, as well as a lack of medical supplies, and have an urgent need for fuel, food, and drinking water.
The nine partially functional hospitals in the south are operating at three times their capacity, while facing critical shortages of basic supplies and fuel.
According to the Health Ministry, occupancy rates are reaching 206 per cent in inpatient departments and 250 per cent in intensive care units.
Meanwhile, Al-Qedra also called on UN institutions to intervene urgently “to provide water, food and shelter to the displaced before a catastrophe occurs, the consequences of which cannot be tolerated”.
Between January 1-11, only 21 per cent (5 of 24) of planned aid deliveries of food, medicines, water, and other lifesaving supplies to the north of Wadi Gaza proceeded, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
As of this month, 1.9 million people, or nearly 85 per cent of the total population of Gaza, were estimated to be internally displaced, including many who have been displaced multiple times, says the UN Refugee Agency.
Tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, have been killed or injured during the attacks….reports Asian Lite News
Emphasising that three months have passed since the horrific October 7 attacks, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that Gaza has become “uninhabitable” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, have been killed or injured during the attacks.
Moreover, families are sleeping in the open as temperatures plummet, Griffiths stressed.
“Gaza has simply become uninhabitable. Its people are witnessing daily threats to their very existence while the world watches on,” he said.
Additionally, public health disasters are unfolding as infectious diseases are spreading in overcrowded shelters as sewers spill over.
Moreover, the areas where civilians were told to relocate for their safety have come under bombardment.
Adding that medical facilities are under relentless attack, he said, “The few hospitals that are partially functional are overwhelmed with trauma cases, critically short of all supplies, and inundated by desperate people seeking safety.”
Furthermore, some 180 Palestinian women are giving birth daily amidst this chaos and people are facing the highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded.
Three months since the horrific 7 October attacks, Gaza has become a place of death and despair.
This war should never have started. But it’s long past time for it to end.
Emphasising the ongoing situation of war-torn children, he said that the past 12 weeks have been traumatic for them.
“No food. No water. No school. Nothing but the terrifying sounds of war, day in and day out,” he said.
“We continue to demand an immediate end to the war, not just for the people of Gaza and its threatened neighbours, but for the generations to come who will never forget these 90 days of hell and of assaults on the most basic precepts of humanity,” he emphasised.
The humanitarian community has been left with the impossible mission of supporting over 2 million people, even as its own staff are being killed and displaced, as communication blackouts continue, as roads are damaged and convoys are shot at, and as commercial supplies vital to survival are almost non-existent.
He further noted that the rocket attacks on Israel continue, and over 120 people are still being held hostage in Gaza.
Adding to this, he said that tensions in the West Bank are boiling, and the spectre of further regional spillover of the war is looming dangerously close.
“Hope has never been more elusive. Gaza has shown us the worst of humanity, as well as moments of great heroism,” he pointed out.
We have seen how violence cannot resolve differences but only inflame passions and build new generations of danger and insecurity, Griffiths said.
It is time for the parties to meet all their obligations under international law, including protecting civilians and meeting their essential needs, and to release all hostages immediately.
“It is time for the international community to use all its influence to make this happen,” he emphasised.
Griffiths said, “This war should never have started. But it’s long past time for it to end.” (ANI)
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has said that most of the children and pregnant women in the Gaza Strip are not able to meet their basic nutrition needs.
A survey conducted by the UN body UNICEF found that 90 per cent of children under age 2 are eating two or fewer food groups daily, mainly bread or milk.
The survey also said that a quarter of pregnant women were having only one-time meal per day.
UN officials said that Israel has been conducting extended checks on the aid vehicles at Rafah crossings and that this along with heavy shelling has led to delays in supply of the aid materials.
UN officials had earlier said that one in four Gazans were enduring famine-like levels of starvation.
According to UNICEF, cases of diarrhoea among children under 5 have risen from 48,000 to 71,000 which is a “clear indication of poor nutrition”.
The officials also said that only 2,000 cases of diarrhoea were earlier reported each month in the Gaza Strip.
However, Israeli authorities said that there is enough food in the territory and that they have taken the necessary steps to allow aid. They also blamed the UN agencies for any shortage of food items.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the importance of strengthening the international community’s efforts to end extremism…reports Asian Lite News
UAE Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed developments in the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and their humanitarian repercussions on a call with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the importance of strengthening the international community’s efforts to end extremism, tensions, and escalating violence in the region. He also stressed the need to protect all civilian lives.
GENEVA, April 3, 2018 (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech during the High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, April 3, 2018. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres applauded Tuesday international pledges of more than 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 for the three-year-old crisis in Yemen. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan/IANS)
His Highness also stressed the importance of strengthening the humanitarian response to the needs of the people of Gaza and ensuring the safe and sustainable delivery of relief and medical aid to them.
The Secretary-General said that he sent a letter on the situation in Gaza to the President of the UN Security Council on 6th December 2023 invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter. Article 99 allows the Secretary-General to alert the Council about any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.
His Highness praised the Secretary-General’s efforts and informed him that the UAE will submit a draft resolution in the Security Council to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The resolution will be submitted with the support of the Arab Group and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Turk addressed the reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas, which he said he took extremely seriously…reports Asian Lite News
The UN’s Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, expressed that Palestinians are enduring an “increasing, profound horror,” as reported by the media.
Turk was speaking in Geneva, where he told journalists that in the conflict in Gaza there was a heightened risk of “atrocity crimes,” BBC reported.
He also warned both Israel and Hamas leaders against what he said were “dehumanising statements” which could be seen by a competent court as “incitement to atrocity crimes”.
Turk also addressed the reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas, which he said he took extremely seriously,
They must be investigated, he added, because the victims must get justice, BBC reported.
He revealed that he had written to the Israeli government in the second week of October, offering to deploy a team of UN human rights monitors to investigate the attacks on Israel.
He said he had yet to receive an answer, but still hoped for a response.
Israel has traditionally refused to cooperate with UN human rights investigators, claiming they are biased, BBC reported.
Israel’s relationship with international organisations like the UN and the ICRC has worsened recently, amid claims by Israel that they are neglecting the suffering of Israelis in the Hamas attack, and sensitivity from Israel over aid agencies’ vocal concerns about the conduct of the war in Gaza.
This week Israel said it would not renew the visa of the Resident UN humanitarian coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territories, because it had lost trust in her.
Israel says it is willing to continue the ceasefire “as long as Hamas continues to release hostages”….reports Asian Lite News
Just minutes before it was set to expire, the Israeli military on Thursday announced that an agreement was reached to extend the humanitarian truce in Gaza for a seventh day. Thursday’s extension is the second of the initial four-day truce that commenced on November 24.
The original four-day truce in Gaza which was first implemented on November 24 and extended for two more days on Tuesday. It was set to expire at 7 a.m. local time on Thursday.
In a brief statement, the military said: “In light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework, the operational pause will continue.”
Hamas also confirmed the extension of the truce for a seventh day in a statement. Since the start of the pause, 210 Palestinians, 70 Israelis, and 24 foreign nationals have reportedly been released.
On Wednesday — the sixth day of the truce — 16 more hostages were released from Gaza, comprising 10 Israelis, four Thai nationals and two Israeli-Russians. Also in the day, 30 Palestinians were also freed from Israeli jails.
‘Truce Will Extend Everyday As Long As..’
Ahead of the military’s announcement, Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday said the humanitarian truce in Gaza will extend for every day the Hamas militant group releases 10 “living” hostages.
“Every day, we agreed to an extension for the release of 10 hostages, 10 living hostages… If Hamas continues to release hostages, 10 a day, we will extend the hold — the pause.”
When asked if the fighting would resume within the next 24 hours, Regev told CNN that “if Hamas fails to meet the conditions of the extension, which is to release 10 Israelis, then of course the fighting can be resumed”.
According to the senior advisor, there were are still at least 140 hostages inside Gaza. He went on to say that the Jewish nation accepted the current agreement of a humanitarian pause “to get our hostages out, that could be extended each day for a day”.
Asked about negotiations on any further agreements, Regev told CNN: “This is a humanitarian pause in our fight against Hamas, Israel is determined to destroy Hamas’ military machine and its rule over Gaza.
“We are not going to play games with the lives of our people… Hamas knows what the parameters of the deal are.”
UAE Welcomes Truce Extension
The UAE has welcomed the announcement to extend the humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip by two days, and the continued exchange of detainees between the Palestinians and Israel, expressing hope this development leads to a permanent ceasefire.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) commended the efforts of the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States, to extend the humanitarian pause, allowing for the exchange of hostages, detainees, and captives, and the delivery of relief aid and humanitarian assistance. The Ministry expressed its aspirations for the agreement to expedite an end to the crisis and prevent further suffering for the brotherly Palestinian people.
Furthermore, the Ministry expressed its hope that this step will facilitate the immediate, safe, sustainable, and unhindered delivery of relief and humanitarian aid, particularly to the most vulnerable groups, including the sick, children, the elderly, and women.
The UAE stresses the importance of returning to negotiations to achieve the two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The UAE will continue working alongside the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to intensify efforts aimed at providing the needed support and assistance to the endeavours aiming to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
MBZ, Biden Hold Talks
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral relations and regional developments during a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Joe Biden.
The call underscored the significance of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in mobilising global cooperation to forge effective solutions to the climate crisis, ensuring a sustainable future for all nations.
The two leaders also reviewed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and establishing lasting and secure mechanisms for delivering humanitarian aid to its residents without hindrance.
They also underscored the imperative of charting a course towards a comprehensive, just, and enduring peace in the Middle East region, with the two-state solution serving as the cornerstone for realising regional security, stability, and peace.
