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☆ Middle East Crisis Netanyahu Says Israeli Soldiers Will Push Into Crowded Area in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Gaya Gupta | Andrés R. Martínez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

But Mr. Netanyahu, a canny negotiator, avoided specifics in his news conference, leaving things somewhat murky. Without specifying any details of the Hamas proposal, Mr. Netanyahu said “surrender to the ludicrous demands of Hamas” would neither free the more than 100 hostages still in Gaza nor restore Israel’s security. Asked specifically whether Israel had formally rejected the framework, Mr. Netanyahu said: “Based on what they passed to us? Israeli officials say 136 remain in Gaza, including dozens who are believed to be dead. “I address you, Mr. Netanyahu, everything is in your hands.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ” Mr, Netanyahu, Antony J, “, ”, Hamas’s, Osama Hamdan, Hamdan, Mr, António Guterres, Guterres, Adina Moshe, “ I’m, Blinken, Hwaida Saad Organizations: U.S, Qatari, Gaza, United Nations, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, Israel, Beirut, Lebanon, United States, Cairo, Rafah, ” Israel

☆ UN Chief Concerned by Violence, Communication Restriction on Pakistan Election Day
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle Nichols and Kanishka SinghUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday expressed concern about violence in Pakistan and the suspension of mobile communications services on election day in the South Asian nation, his spokesperson said in an emailed statement. CONTEXTThousands of troops were deployed on the streets in Pakistan and at polling stations across the country. Despite the heightened security, nine people, including two children, were killed on Thursday in bomb blasts, grenade attacks and shootings. At least another 26 were killed on Wednesday in two explosions near electoral candidates' offices in the southwestern province of Balochistan. Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. State Department also said it was concerned about steps taken to "restrict freedom of expression" in Pakistan, especially related to phone and internet access.

Persons: Michelle Nichols, Kanishka Singh, Antonio Guterres, Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif, Stephane Dujarric, Sandra Maler Organizations: NATIONS, Reuters, United Nations, Mobile, Interior Ministry, Amnesty, Pakistan Muslim League, Islamic State, U.S . State Department Locations: Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Balochistan, Islamic

“I’m still waiting to see when that happens,” Griffiths said. Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesSudan plunged into chaos last April with street battles between the generals’ rival forces in the capital, Khartoum, that spread to other areas. Western Darfur, which was wracked by bloodshed and atrocities in 2003, has been an epicenter of the current conflict, an arena of ethnic violence where paramilitary troops and allied Arab militias have been attacking African ethnic groups. Secretary-General Guterres urged support for the ICC, saying its role in prosecuting those involved in “atrocities” in Darfur “is absolutely essential.”Humanitarian chief Griffith and U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi appealed for $4.1 billion in international support for embattled civilians in Sudan amid signs that some may be dying of starvation after nearly a year of war. The agencies said that half of Sudan’s population, or around 25 million people, requires support and protection, and that the requested funds would go to help millions of civilians in Sudan and others who have fled abroad.

Persons: António Guterres, “, ” Guterres, —, Abdel Fattah Burhan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo —, Guterres, ”, Martin Griffiths, “ I’m, ” Griffiths, Karim Khan, ” Khan, General Guterres, Griffith, Filippo Grandi Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, Rapid Support Forces, African Union, Arab League, International Criminal Court, ICC Locations: Sudan, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Geneva, Switzerland, Khartoum, Darfur, Rome, Chad

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia accused the United States on Monday of aggression against Iraq and Syria aimed at preserving its global dominance and salvaging the Biden administration’s “image” ahead of U.S. elections. Many council members expressed fears of a growing Mideast conflict and urged de-escalation and stepped-up peace efforts. Wood stressed that the United States doesn’t want more conflict in a region where it is “actively working to contain and deescalate the conflict in Gaza." "And we are not seeking a direct conflict with Iran,” Wood said “But we will continue to defend our personnel against unacceptable attacks. Ambassador Zhang Jun, a Russian ally, echoed her concerns about escalating tensions and actions, and pointed a finger at the United States.

Persons: Russia’s U.N, Vassily Nebenzia, ”, Robert Wood, Wood, ” Wood, “, Iran’s U.N, Amir Saeid Iravani, ” Iravani, ” U.N, Rosemary DiCarlo, Antonio Guterres, U.N, Zhang Jun, ” Zhang, Algeria’s U.N, Amar Bendjama, ” Bendjama Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, —, Biden, Security, U.S, . Army Locations: — Russia, United States, Iraq, Syria, U.S, Iranian, Russia, Syria’s, Israel, Lebanon, Sea, Yemen, Syrian Arab Republic, Russian, Iran, Jordanian, Monday’s, Gaza

☆ Australia PM Says Government 'Examining' Claims Against UN Palestinian Agency
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday his government was probing claims that some staff of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, after Australia paused funding to the aid agency last month. Australia is one of several countries to have halted funding for UNRWA, a critical source of support in Gaza, after Israeli claims of U.N. employees' complicity with Hamas. "We're examining it, along with other like-minded countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesLate last month, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland joined the United States, Australia and Canada in pausing funding to the aid agency. The agency has opened an investigation into several employees and has severed ties with those people, it has said.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Albanese, U.N, Antonio Guterres, Sam McKeith Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia's, Australia, UNRWA, Australian Broadcasting Corp, European Union Locations: Palestinian, Israel, Australia, Gaza, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Sydney

☆ US Says Algeria Push for UN Ceasefire Resolution Could Hurt Gaza Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Friday that Algeria's draft Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" aimed at brokering a pause in Israel's war. It would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It was not immediately clear if or when Algeria could put the draft resolution to a vote. The Gaza war began when fighters from the Hamas militant group that runs Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. To be adopted, U.N. Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, China or Russia.

Persons: Michelle Nichols UNITED, United Nations Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Thomas, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, Israel, Michelle Nichols, Paul Grant, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, United Nations, Qatar's, U.N, Security Locations: Gaza, Algeria, Israel, United States, Egypt, Qatar, New York, U.S, Washington, U.N, Britain, France, China, Russia

Israel and Hezbollah each have lessons from their last war, in 2006, a monthlong conflict that ended in a draw. A United Nations resolution ending the war called for withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and a demilitarized zone on Lebanon's side of the border. Israeli political and military leaders have warned Hezbollah that war is increasingly probable unless the militants withdraw from the border. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah hasn't threatened to initiate war but warned of a fight “without limits” if Israel does. Costs would rise sharply if there's war with Lebanon.

Persons: They've, U.N, Antonio Guterres, Hassan Nasrallah hasn't, Andrea Tenenti, Lisa Abou Khaled, ”, Tal Beeri, there's, Israel's, Orna Mizrahi, Netanyahu, Dina Arakji, ___ Lidman Organizations: United States, United, U.S, Bank of Israel, Alma Research, Education Center, Israel Democracy Institute, Institute for National Security Studies, Gaza's Health Ministry, Lebanese Locations: BEIRUT, Israel, Gaza, United, Lebanon, United Nations, Europe, Iran, Israel's, “, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Beirut, ”, Tel Aviv

☆ UN Chief Says UNRWA Is 'Backbone' of Gaza Aid Response
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle NicholsUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday described the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) as "the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza" and appealed to all countries to "guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's lifesaving work." "I was personally horrified by these accusations," Guterres told the U.N. Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. The accusations became public on Friday when UNRWA announced it had fired some staff after Israel provided the agency with information. UNRWA employs 13,000 people in Gaza, running schools, its primary healthcare clinics and other social services, and distributing humanitarian aid. "The humanitarian system in Gaza is collapsing," Guterres said.

Persons: Michelle Nichols UNITED, Antonio Guterres, Israel, Guterres, Michelle Nichols, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Hamas, Palestinian, Islamic Jihad, UNRWA, Gaza's Locations: Palestinian, Gaza, United States, Israeli

Israel's military said Wednesday that its forces killed more than 15 Hamas militants in northern Gaza over the past day and targeted militant infrastructure in a school. The latest deaths bring the Palestinian death toll from Israel’s offensive to 26,900, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. Here's the latest:150 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN GAZA IN THE PAST 24 HOURS, HEALTH MINISTRY SAYSRAFAH, Gaza Strip — Gaza’s Health Ministry says 150 people have been killed in the last 24 hours and another 313 were wounded. The nearly four-month war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel, in which Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted another 250. The military said Wednesday that its forces killed more than 15 Hamas militants in northern Gaza over the past day and targeted militant infrastructure in a school.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ‘, Biden, Jordan, — Biden, he’s, —, Khan Younis, “, Joe Biden’s, Jordan that’s, Yemen’s Houthi, U.N, Israel ”, Antonio Guterres, Houthi, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Arleigh Burke, Yahya Saree, ” Saree Organizations: Gaza’s Health Ministry, Gaza, Health Ministry, West Bank, MINISTRY, AS BIDEN, U.S . Navy, UN, GENEVA, UNRWA, Israel, World Health Organization, UNICEF, International Organization for Migration, Food, U.S . State Department, EU AIMS, The European Union, ’, SEA, U.S . military’s, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iran, EU, Jordan, israel, GAZA, RAFAH, Hama, Gaza City, Khan, IRAN, JERUSALEM, Islamic Republic, Tehran, The U.S, Syria, Red, U.S, United States, ”, U.N, BRUSSELS, Yemen, Belgium, Germany, Iranian, British

GENEVA (AP) — An array of U.N. organizations have united to warn of “catastrophic consequences for the people of Gaza ” if key donor countries don't resume funding for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main lifeline for people in the besieged territory. U.N. officials fired most of the workers and vowed an investigation. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to 35 donor nations in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday and sought new support as well. On these mere allegations, they've initiated an independent investigation of everything surrounding that potential betrayal of all of our ideals by a small group of employees in the organization,” he said. ___Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

Persons: “, Antonio Guterres, Linda Thomas, Jens Laerke, ” Jan Egeland, Egeland, they've, ”, ___ Edith M, Lederer Organizations: GENEVA, Israel, World Health Organization, Food Program, UNICEF, International Organization for Migration, United Nations, UNRWA, Norwegian Refugee Council Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, U.N, Congo, Greenfield , U.S, New York, Geneva, israel

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A United Nations official said on Tuesday that her experience in negotiating an end to decades of conflict in her native Colombia may help her as she seeks to rekindle talks over Cyprus’ ethnic division. “I was part of that team that we finally reached a peace agreement” in Colombia, Holguín told reporters after her first meeting with the Greek Cypriot President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. Only Turkey recognizes a 1983 Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island’s northern third. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots say the only way to peace is a two-state deal, ditching an agreement to reunify the island as a federation composed of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot zones. "Certainly, we believe that if there’s the same political will from the other side, the resumption of talks can happen very quickly.”

Persons: María Ángela Holguín Cuellar, Holguín, Nikos Christodoulides, ” Holguín, It’s, Ersin Tatar, Antonio Guterres, –, Constantinos Letymbiotis, “, ” Organizations: United Nations, Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Greece Locations: NICOSIA, Cyprus, Colombia, Turkish, Turkey, Turkish Cypriot

☆ Israeli dossier details UNRWA workers’ alleged involvement in October 7 attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Alex Marquardt | Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Of the 13 UNRWA employees alleged to have been associated with the attack, the Israeli document alleges 10 were Hamas operatives, two were Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives and one is unidentified. It also alleges that at least one UNRWA employee supplied logistic support to the attack. In a statement Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said nine UNRWA staff members at the center of the allegations had been fired. At least 152 UNRWA staffers have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began, according to the agency. Israel has strongly opposed calls for a ceasefire, maintaining that it needs to press on with its aim of eliminating Hamas.

Persons: CNN — Israel, Israel, Jack Lew, David Satterfield, Stephane Dujarric, UNWRA, Philippe Lazzarini, António Guterres, ” Guterres, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Organizations: CNN, United Nations, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Islamic Jihad, Middle East, UN, UNRWA, Assembly, UN’s, Hamas, of Health Locations: Gaza, Israel, East, Germany, Norway, Ireland, Turkey, Saudi Arabia

☆ The demise of the UN’s Palestinian agency could spell disaster for millions. Here’s why Israel wants it dismantled
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Here’s what that could mean for the millions of Palestinians that rely on UNRWA for sustenance. The agency provides a wide range of aid and services to Palestinian refugees and their descendants. While its purpose is to support Palestinian refugees, UNRWA does not have a mandate to resettle them, a mandate that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) does have. Millions more Palestinian refugees live in neighboring countries like Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and rely on aid from the agency. At one UNRWA school shelter in Deir al Balah, Gazans said they were worried about the suffering to come if UNRWA’s aid is suspended.

Persons: Leo, ”, Majdi, Deir al Balah, Gazans, Um Mohammad Al Khabbaz, “ What’s, António Guterres, “, Yuval Shany, ” Shany, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz, ” Katz, Israel doesn’t, …, Shany, ” Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, United, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Israel, UNRWA, United Nations, UN, Refugees, UNHCR, Palestinian, CNN Sunday, Hebrew University, Jerusalem’s, State Department, US, Gaza Locations: United Nations, United States, Israel, Gaza, New York, Geneva, Brussels, UNHCR, Palestine, UNRWA’s, Crescent, Deir el, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Deir al, Palestinian

In Gaza, it has been the main supplier of food, water and shelter to civilians during the Israel-Hamas war. The Israeli government has accused Hamas and other militant groups of siphoning off aid and using U.N. facilities for military purposes. UNRWA denies those allegations and says it took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack. U.N. chief Guterres said nine of the accused UNRWA employees were immediately terminated, one was confirmed dead and the other two still need to be identified. The death toll includes more than 150 UNWRA employees, the most aid workers the U.N. has lost in a single conflict.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Philippe Lazzarini, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Lazzarini Organizations: United, Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, West, Israel, West Bank, Twitter, Health Ministry Locations: United Nations, Gaza, Israel, United States, East, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, U.N, Israel's, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Ireland, israel

☆ Guterres: UN to punish staffers involved in 'terror,' urges UNRWA funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vowed on Sunday to hold to account "any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror" after allegations that some refugee agency staffers were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. But Guterres implored governments to continue supporting the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) after nine countries paused funding. "Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution," the U.N. chief said in a statement. In his first direct comments on the issue, the U.N. chief gave details about the UNRWA staffers implicated in the "abhorrent alleged acts." "The lives of people in Gaza depend on this support and so does regional stability," Lazzarini said.

Persons: Abu, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Israel, Philippe Lazzarini, Lazzarini Organizations: United Nations, REUTERS, Abu Mustafa United Nations, Saturday Locations: Gaza, Israel, Britain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, United States, Australia, Canada

The dispute engulfing the biggest provider of vital aid to Palestinians came as U.S. officials said negotiators were closing in on a cease-fire agreement. The emerging deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The top United Nations court has asked Israel for a compliance report in a month, placing added scrutiny on Israel's military. The case brought by South Africa to the U.N. court alleged Israel is committing genocide, which Israel vehemently denies. The court also ordered Israel to urgently get aid to Gaza.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, ” Guterres, ”, Philippe Lazzarini, Bill Burns, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Israel, Khan Younis, Nasser, ___ Shurafa, Madhani, Matthew Lee, Zeke Miller Organizations: United Nations, UNRWA, Biden, CIA, Qatari, International Court of Justice, World Health Organization, MSF Locations: RAFAH, Gaza, Israel, United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ISRAEL, South Africa, Khan, Deir, Washington, israel

☆ UNRWA: What we know about Israel’s allegations against UN staffers in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Hira Humayun | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has fired several employees in the wake of the allegations, which have not been made public. UNRWA was established by the United Nations after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war to provide humanitarian assistance for displaced Palestinians. At least 152 UNRWA staffers have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began, according to the agency. Neither Israel nor UNRWA have specified the nature of the alleged involvement of UNRWA employees in the events of October 7, nor did they specify the number of employees allegedly involved. “A case was compiled by the Intelligence Directorate, incriminating several UNRWA employees for their alleged involvement in the massacre, along with evidence pointing to the use of UNRWA facilities for terrorist purposes,” the IDF statement said.

Persons: Israel, –, Philippe Lazzarini, “, ”, ’, António Guterres, Guterres, United Nations Gilad Erdan, Syria hadn’t, Benjamin Netanyahu, Micheál Martin tweeting, ” Mustafa Barghouthi, Husseim Al, Sheick, Yoav Gallant, Israel Katz, Lazzarini, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, CNN’s Mitchell McCluskey, Benjamin Brown, Heather Law, AJ Davis, Ibrahim Hazboun, Rob Iddiols, Amir Tal, Akanksha Sharma, Lauren Izso, Caitlin Hu Organizations: CNN, UN, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, UNRWA, United Nations, United Nations ’, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Saturday, Intelligence, UN Security, US State Department, Palestinian National Initiative, International, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Israel’s, Foreign, The Agency Locations: Gaza, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany

☆ Nobel Peace Prize winner: The time has come to recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Opinion Narges Mohammadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The time has come to declare gender apartheid a crime. That is why I have written a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, urging him to declare gender apartheid a crime against humanity. Inhumane acts committed in the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one gender group over another are termed gender apartheid. This is why it is imperative that gender apartheid is recognized as a crime against humanity. In recent months there has been positive momentum at the United Nations towards recognizing and codifying gender apartheid.

Persons: Read, António Guterres, —, Mahsa Amini, Amini, Iran —, Shirin Ebadi, Malala Yousafzai, Nadia Murad – Organizations: CNN, Getty, United Nations, Assembly, Apartheid, UN Women’s, UN Locations: Iranian, Iran, Tehran’s, Islamic Republic, Afghanistan, South Africa, States

☆ Explainer-What Is the Two-State Solution to the Israel-Palestinian Conflict?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +10 min

Obstacles have long impeded the two-state solution, which envisages Israeli and Palestinian states alongside each other. Advocates of the two-state solution have envisaged a Palestine in the Gaza Strip and West Bank linked by a corridor through Israel. As the two-state solution has floundered, talk of a one-state solution has risen. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a Jan. 23 speech, said the two-state solution remained the only way to address the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians. He criticised "clear and repeated rejection of the two-state solution at the highest levels of the Israeli government".

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, Rabin, Bill Clinton, Arafat, Ehud Barak, Camp David, Jerusalem, Joe Biden, Abdel Fattah al, Abbas, Mahmoud Abbas, Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu, Abbas's Fatah, Biden, Osama Hamdan, General Antonio Guterres, Nidal al, Ali Sawafta, Maayan Lubell, Dan Williams, Ari Rabinovitch, Tom Perry, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Reuters, United Nations, Arab League, Israel, West Bank, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Palestinian Authority, Israeli, Bank, Geneva Accord, Finance Locations: Washington, Gaza, Palestinian, Jordan, Jerusalem, Palestine, Europe, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, East Jerusalem, Egypt, U.S, Oslo, Israeli, West Bank, Jordanian, Oslo Accords, U.N

☆ Gaza: Israel’s war has cost this young woman her closest friends
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Zahid Mahmood | Abeer Salman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Nowara Diab was trying to drown out the sounds of airstrikes by listening to music, but it was not enough to shake the unsettled feeling in her gut. As Israel’s war approaches its fourth month, sustained bombardment by Israeli forces in Gaza has had a devastating impact on civilians there. Conditions in Gaza are a ‘living hell’At the outset of the war, Diab watched as bombs fell near her home in Gaza City. “This is a sneak peek into hell.”Maimana Jarada, left, and Nowara Diab in Gaza before October 7. Nowara Diab at the house she is staying at in Rafah, southern Gaza.

Persons: Nowara Diab, panicking, Diab, Jarada, Abraham Saidam, ” Diab, they’re, “, António Guterres, ”, “ I’m, it’s, ’, Maimana Jarada, Nowara, Abraham, Saidam, ” Saidam, King Odysseus, you’re, they’ve, Khan Younis, there’s, “ We’re, we’re Organizations: CNN, United Nations, Ministry, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations ’ Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UN, UNICEF, Al Azhar University Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Diab, Gaza City, East

Wreaths of smoke hung over the UN shelter, after a huge blaze broke out at the UNRWA Khan Younis Training Center, video obtained by CNN showed. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said Israeli forces have surrounded the Nasser Medical Complex, cutting off crucial medical, food, and fuel supplies. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said Israeli forces are “surrounding” their headquarters and the Al-Amal Hospital and have enforced “restrictions on movement around both the building and the hospital”. Six people were killed in attacks on Khan Younis on Wednesday, PRCS added, three of which had been “targeted” at the entrance of their headquarters. “We were expecting to die at any minute.”Jamal al Rozzi, an aid worker displaced near Khan Younis, said he was forced to flee to Rafah on Wednesday after heavy bombardment in the area.

Persons: Khan Younis, ramped, ” Thomas White, White, ”, António Guterres, Fatima Shbair, Amal, Nasser, Ashraf Al, Qudra, Al, PRCS, WAFA, ” “, Hisham Sayegh, ” Sayegh, “, ” Jamal al Rozzi, ” Al Rozzi Organizations: CNN, UN, Training Center, UNRWA Affairs, World Health Organization, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, of Health, AP Hospitals, Hamas, Nasser, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Amal, Aqsa University, Rights Monitor, Med HR, National Society for Rehabilitation Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Khan, “, Palestine, Al, Geneva, Egypt

☆ Plan for One-Month Gaza Truce Makes Progress as Israel Hits Khan Younis
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Meanwhile, in its biggest operation in a month, the Israeli military pressed ahead with encircling Khan Younis where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering. Israeli forces killed more than 100 militants in western Khan Younis in 24 hours, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Tuesday evening. In southern Gaza, Israel has blockaded hospitals, which Palestinian officials say makes it impossible to rescue the wounded. At the European Hospital, reached by Reuters in southern Khan Younis, Ahed Masmah brought in five corpses, piled on a mattress on his donkey cart. At Khan Younis' main Nasser hospital, the biggest still functioning in the Gaza Strip, bodies were being buried on the grounds because it was unsafe to go to the cemetery.

Persons: Andrew Mills, Arafat Barbakh, Emily Rose DOHA, Khan Younis, Daniel Hagari, Benjamin Netanyahu, Eylon Levy, Antonio Guterres, Israel's, John Kirby, Brett McGurk, Kirby, Ahed Masmah, Nasser, Martin Griffiths, U.N, Younis, Nidal al, Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, Dan Williams, Ari Rabinovitch, Maayan Lubell, Kate Holton, Jonathan Landay, Simon Lewis, Jeff Mason, Cynthia Osterman, Stephen Coates Organizations: Hamas, Palestinian, U.S . State Department, White, Service, Reuters, Palestinian Hamas, United Nations, Security, Middle East, European Hospital Locations: GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Gaza, Gaza's, Khan, Qatar, U.S, Egypt, Rafah, Palestinian, Cairo, Mughrabi, Doha, Bassam, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war rages as Gaza death toll rises
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 25,000 people since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the Hamas-controlled health ministry in the enclave said Sunday. Israel's military said Sunday that military activities in Gaza were continuing, with "dozens of terrorists eliminated and large quantities of weapons located." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he would not accept Hamas' demand for an end to the war in exchange for the release of hostages held in Gaza. International reaction: Biden has indicated he still believes Netanyahu can be convinced of a two-state solution to the conflict as the two remain at odds over plans for post-war Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called opposition to a two-state solution "unacceptable," while UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps called Netanyahu's comments "disappointing."

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Biden, Antonio Guterres, Grant Shapps Organizations: CNN, Sunday, UK Locations: Gaza, Israel, Hamas, Here's, Jordan, Palestinian, UN

☆ Widening Mideast Crisis Israel to Make Case for War Before E.U. Amid Growing Criticism
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Peter Baker | Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

“My insistence is what has prevented — over the years — the establishment of a Palestinian state that would have constituted an existential danger to Israel,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a statement in Hebrew on Sunday. While there was no indication that Mr. Netanyahu would ease his strenuous opposition, which is popular with his fragile right-wing political coalition, Mr. Biden had expressed optimism that they might yet find consensus. President Biden and his top diplomat, Antony J. Blinken, have urged Israeli officials to move toward the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state. Mr. Netanyahu has rejected the idea of the authority returning to the enclave. Analysts pointed out that Mr. Netanyahu’s willingness to undermine his American counterpart was becoming routine.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Biden, “, —, ” Mr, Netanyahu, Mr, Netanyahu’s, ”, Grant Shapps, Shapps, ” António Guterres, Guterres, Antony J, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben, Gvir, ” Khaled Elgindy, Peter Baker Organizations: Mr, White House, Sky News, ” Palestinian Authority, West Bank, American, Middle East Institute Locations: Palestinian, Gaza, Israel, ”, Washington

☆ UN's Guterres Condemns Israel for 'Heartbreaking' Killings in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Elias BiryabaremaKAMPALA (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday denounced Israel for the "heartbreaking" deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and called it unacceptable to resist statehood for the Palestinian people. "Israel's military operations have spread mass destruction and killed civilians on a scale unprecedented during my time as secretary-general," Guterres said at the opening of a summit of the G77+China in the Ugandan capital Kampala. The Middle East is a tinder-box, we must do all we can to prevent conflict from igniting across the region." Israel's campaign has killed more than 25,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities on Sunday, and displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million people from their homes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Saturday to push back against U.S. President Joe Biden's remarks about Palestinian statehood after the war against Hamas ends.

Persons: Elias Biryabarema, António Guterres, Israel, Guterres, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Biden, Netanyahu, Frances Kerry Organizations: Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA, United Nations, Hamas, U.S, Aligned Movement, NAM Locations: Gaza, China, Ugandan, Kampala, Israel, South Africa, Iran, Turkey, Cuba, India, Vietnam

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