Palestine

Larnaca hosting international meeting on “Amalthea” initiative

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Larnaca hosting international meeting on “Amalthea” initiative

Senior officials from 35 countries and international organizations are meeting in Larnaca, Cyprus, to discuss food security in the Gaza Strip. The two-day meeting aims to address the food crisis in Gaza amid the ongoing war in Palestine. Over 150 attendees are participating both in person and virtually, focusing on coordinating humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza by sea and securing financial support for the “Amalthea” project, a Cyprus-led initiative targeting Gaza’s food security challenges. The meeting’s primary goal is to establish a framework for the technical implementation of the “Amalthea” Plan, including the creation of a joint fund for financial support and addressing logistical elements for the project’s operation.

Hamas says Israeli response to its truce proposal was negative

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Hamas says Israeli response to its truce proposal was negative

A senior Hamas official announced that Israel negatively responded to Hamas’s latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, as conveyed by mediators on Tuesday. Osama Hamdan attributed the failure to negotiate a hostage release for Palestinian prisoners and to stop the fighting in Gaza to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. Despite resumed talks in Qatar, weeks of negotiations have not yet resulted in an agreement between Israel and Hamas to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Food aid from Cyprus reaches starving people in northern Gaza, says charity

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Food aid from Cyprus reaches starving people in northern Gaza, says charity

– A U.S.-based charity reported that nearly 200 tons of food aid reached northern Gaza, having been shipped from the Cypriot port of Larnaca.
– The charity involved is World Central Kitchen (WCK), in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and Spanish charity Open Arms.
– The food was transported over a 200-mile sea route from Larnaca to Gaza and arrived off Gaza’s coast on Friday, with delivery completed on Tuesday by a convoy of eight trucks from the World Food Programme (WFP).
– The delivered aid is equivalent to half a million meals.
– A U.N.-backed report indicated that famine is “imminent” in northern Gaza, affecting some 300,000 people, with 1.1 million people across Gaza facing “catastrophic hunger.”
– A second shipment of 240 tons of food is prepared in Larnaca, awaiting departure based on weather conditions.
– WCK has expressed readiness to send weekly food shipments to Gaza with international support.
– Aid agencies have highlighted that the amount of food that can be delivered by sea is insufficient for the needs in Gaza and have called for more aid to be allowed in by road.
– Cyprus supports the WCK initiative and plans to coordinate further aid, hosting discussions with officials from various countries on March 21.

In Gaza, starving children fill hospital wards as famine looms

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In Gaza, starving children fill hospital wards as famine looms

Six-year-old Fadi al-Zant from Gaza is acutely malnourished, unable to walk, and suffers from cystic fibrosis. His health has deteriorated since the conflict began, as his medication is no longer available and his diet has been severely restricted. The Kamal Adwan hospital, where Fadi is being treated, has seen most of the 27 children who have died from malnutrition and dehydration recently. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warns that famine is imminent in northern Gaza, affecting over two-thirds of the people there. Despite Israel’s claims of not limiting aid, shortages of food, medicines, and clean water persist. Fadi’s condition worsened about two months ago, with his weight dropping from 30kg to 12kg. The U.N. children’s agency UNICEF reports nearly 1 in 3 children under two in northern Gaza suffer from acute malnutrition. Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of obstructing the provision of basic services and lifesaving aid, which Israel denies. Conditions in Gaza have been exacerbated by disease, with a significant increase in diarrhoea cases among children under 5, further hastening malnutrition.

Washington makes new push for Gaza ceasefire to head off famine, Rafah assault

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Washington makes new push for Gaza ceasefire to head off famine, Rafah assault

– The United States is pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent a famine and is urging Israel not to launch a ground assault on Rafah, where over a million displaced people are taking refuge.
– Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning a trip to the Middle East to meet leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia to discuss peace, but no visit to Israel has been announced.
– Israeli air strikes in Rafah killed 14 people, and Gaza’s food shortages have surpassed famine levels according to the international hunger monitor.
– Israel denies causing Gaza’s hunger, claiming it is opening new routes for aid and that U.N. and other agencies should distribute food more effectively.
– The U.N. suggests Israel’s restrictions and conduct in the conflict could constitute a war crime.
– Ceasefire talks are resuming in Qatar, with discussions around a six-week truce that would involve the release of hostages and detainees and the provision of aid to Gaza.
– The humanitarian situation in Gaza and the potential assault on Rafah have caused tension between the Israeli government and the U.S. administration.
– White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed that a ground operation in Rafah would be a mistake and that Israel’s goals can be achieved by other means.
– Israel insists a ground assault is necessary to defeat Hamas in Gaza, including in Rafah.
– Hamas reported the death of a senior police commander and his family in northern Gaza due to overnight air strikes.
– Israel aims to continue its military operations in Gaza until Hamas is defeated and claims to have killed senior Hamas officials, including the deputy commander of the Hamas military wing.
– Talks hosted in Qatar between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, with hopes for a truce that would benefit over two million people in Gaza.

Israel’s restrictions to Gaza aid may be war crime, says UN rights office

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Israel’s restrictions to Gaza aid may be war crime, says UN rights office

Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid for Gaza might constitute a war crime due to potential starvation tactics, as stated by the U.N. human rights chief, Volker Turk. A U.N.-backed report warned of a possible famine in Gaza by May if the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues. Israel, however, claims it is facilitating aid delivery and blames the U.N. and relief groups for any issues related to aid distribution. The Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva asserted that Israel is actively working to provide Gaza with aid through various means. The U.N. High Commissioner emphasized Israel’s obligations as the occupying power to ensure food and medical care for Gaza’s population and support humanitarian organizations in their aid delivery efforts. The report highlighted severe malnutrition and food insecurity in northern Gaza, with people resorting to eating bird seeds, animal fodder, wild grass, and weeds due to the lack of food. Turk described the crisis as “human-made” and called for international pressure on Israel to allow full aid delivery and restore essential services in Gaza.

Statement by the President at the Summit for a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership between EU and Egypt

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Statement by the President at the Summit for a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership between EU and Egypt

The text announces the launch of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership between the European Union and the Arab Republic of Egypt, highlighting the significant role of Egypt in regional stability and its indispensable role in Europe’s southeastern flank. It mentions the signing of a Joint Declaration that marks a new era in EU-Egypt relations, covering a wide range of sectors. The text also acknowledges Egypt’s efforts in addressing crises in Libya, Sudan, Palestine, and the Red Sea, particularly emphasizing President Sisi’s efforts towards achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and providing humanitarian relief. Additionally, it mentions Cyprus’s initiative, supported by the European Union, to establish a safe humanitarian maritime corridor to deliver aid to Gaza, complementing existing routes and mechanisms. The text concludes with Cyprus’s commitment to working with EU partners to ensure the success of the strategic partnership, aiming for peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Red Sea, and the Horn of Africa.

Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

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Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

The ratification of a film co-production agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel is condemned by 100 individuals from the Cypriot film industry. This condemnation was organized by the network Film Workers for Palestine – Cyprus, under the call titled “No to the exploitation of cinema as an alibi for whitewashing the genocide of Palestinians.” The individuals opposing this agreement express their concern over the use of cinema to whitewash the actions of the state of Israel and its government against Palestinians.

Aid supply ship from Cyprus reaches Gaza coast

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Aid supply ship from Cyprus reaches Gaza coast

– A ship towing a barge loaded with food arrived off Gaza as a test run for a new aid route from Cyprus.
– The ship was arranged by the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity and is carrying nearly 200 tonnes of aid.
– A second ship is expected to sail soon to deliver aid to Gaza.
– The aid is to be delivered via a jetty being prepared in Gaza.
– There are few details on how the aid delivery and distribution will work in Gaza.
– The new sea route aims to ease the hunger crisis in Gaza, where there is a looming famine after five months of Israel’s military campaign.
– Aid agencies have stated that bringing in aid by sea and through air drops will not fully compensate for the difficulties of getting supplies by land.
– The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7 with Hamas fighters attacking Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies.
– Israel’s military campaign in response has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and driven most of the population from their homes, according to health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza.

Aid ship reaches Gaza as Israel rejects Hamas truce offer [VIDEO]

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Aid ship reaches Gaza as Israel rejects Hamas truce offer [VIDEO]

– The first ship carrying food aid, the Open Arms vessel with 200 tonnes of food, reached the coast of the Gaza Strip.
– The charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) aims to deliver the aid on a temporary jetty.
– The aid is intended to ease the hunger crisis in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands face malnourishment.
– The war began with an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages in Israel.
– An Israeli assault has killed more than 31,000 people and displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza.
– Hamas’s latest ceasefire counter-proposal, which includes the release of hostages and talks to end the war, was rejected by Israel.
– Israel demands only temporary pauses in fighting and refuses to discuss ending the war until Hamas is eradicated.
– Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, criticized Israel’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal.
– Efforts for a ceasefire continue, with mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar involved.
– The United Nations reports all 2.3 million people in Gaza are suffering from a food crisis.
– Israel denies blame for the hunger crisis and calls for better food distribution by aid agencies.
– At least 21 people were killed and 150 wounded by Israeli forces during a food distribution event.
– U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Israelis to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing his approach to the conflict.