Israel

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.

Tourist arrivals show recovery in February

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Tourist arrivals show recovery in February

Tourist arrivals in Cyprus for February 2024 increased by 5% compared to February 2023, with a total of 125,034 tourists. The increase in tourist arrivals for the first two months of 2024 reached 1.6% compared to the same period in 2023. The main sources of tourism in February were the United Kingdom (24.6%), Poland (13.3%), Israel (10.6%), and Greece (10.3%). The majority of visitors in February traveled for vacation (66.8%), visiting friends or relatives (17.8%), and business (14.2%). Trips by Cypriot residents abroad in February 2024 increased by almost 12% over the previous year, with 114,110 trips recorded. The main destinations for Cypriot residents were Greece (32%), the United Kingdom (11.6%), and Italy (4.6%). The primary purpose of travel for Cypriot residents was holidays (70.6%), professional reasons (23.4%), studies (4.6%), and other reasons (1.4%).

Second humanitarian aid ship to sail for Gaza

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Second humanitarian aid ship to sail for Gaza

Within the upcoming days, the second ship will depart from Cyprus carrying humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza, stated the Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, today.Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Palace, the Spokesperson, when asked about the departure date of the second ship from Cyprus with humanitarian aid to Gaza, stated that “the … Read more

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.

Israeli airstrikes target Damascus countryside, Syria says

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Israeli airstrikes target Damascus countryside, Syria says

Israel launched missiles at military targets outside Damascus, Syria, causing material damage. Syrian air defenses intercepted some of these missiles. Iran, a major supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been targeted by Israeli strikes due to its military involvement in the region. These strikes have increased following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Since December, over half a dozen Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers have been killed in suspected Israeli strikes on Syria, leading to a reduction in the deployment of senior Iranian officers in Syria and a shift towards relying more on allied Shi’ite militia.

Miracle baby, miracle mother

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Miracle baby, miracle mother

Childbirth complications, including pre-eclampsia and obstructed labour, affect millions of women globally each year, with approximately 810 women dying daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO also estimates that for every woman who dies in childbirth, about 20 more suffer severe complications, leading to long-term health issues or disabilities. Baiba Deiko, a 33-year-old woman from Latvia residing in Cyprus, experienced a severe childbirth complication leading to an emergency cesarean section at 31 weeks due to a ruptured placenta, a 1cm perforation in the posterior wall of her stomach, and subsequent life-threatening conditions including sepsis and a complete blockage of the pylorus. Her son, Noah, was taken to Makarios hospital’s ICU, the only one in the country that can house babies under 32 weeks. Baiba’s condition required her to be transported via an ambulance plane to Rafael hospital in Israel for specialized treatment, facilitated by ILMedicare, a private medical service in Limassol, Cyprus. After her final surgery, Baiba returned to Cyprus two weeks later and was reunited with her son after a month of separation.

North a safe haven for criminals

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North a safe haven for criminals

– At least 11 fugitives wanted by Interpol have been located in Northern Cyprus in the last 20 months.
– These fugitives, including notable criminals from Australia, Russia, China, and Italy, had purchased real estate and obtained residence permits from the Turkish Cypriot administration.
– All arrested fugitives were extradited to Turkey, as Northern Cyprus, not recognized by any state other than Turkey, has no extradition treaties and relies on Turkey for Interpol-related arrests and extraditions.
– Northern Cyprus is described as a safe haven for criminals due to lack of international recognition, oversight, and adequate controls on entry and activities within the country.
– Moldovan authorities believe fugitive oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc is hiding in Northern Cyprus.
– The 2023 Global Organised Crime Index indicates that Northern Cyprus has a significant presence of individuals wanted by Interpol and is a hub for organized crime activities.
– A study based on Transparency International’s methodology found widespread bribery in Northern Cyprus, with 40% of business executives admitting to engaging in bribery.
– The uncontrolled entry of individuals into Northern Cyprus poses a security threat, with instances of apprehended terrorists and foiled terror attacks highlighted.
– Authorities estimate that the number of Iranians living in Northern Cyprus has reached 15,000, with over 40,000 entering through air and seaports in 2023.
– In the last 20 months, 21 individuals were deported for reasons such as threatening public law and order, and 29 Nigerians, many affiliated with violent cults, were also deported.
– The issuance of student visas and the presence of 23 universities hosting around 110,000 students, many of whom are not attending classes, are identified as factors contributing to illegal activities.

Special fund to be established for Gaza humanitarian aid

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Special fund to be established for Gaza humanitarian aid

President Nikos Christodoulides announced the return of the first ship and the readiness to dispatch a second ship with humanitarian aid to Gaza. A decision has been made to establish a special fund for the purchase of humanitarian aid, supported financially by willing countries. This initiative, known as the “Amalthea” plan, has garnered international recognition and interest, with several countries expressing their support and some planning to visit Cyprus to observe the humanitarian aid mission.

Christodoulides visits LNG terminal as work restarts

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Christodoulides visits LNG terminal as work restarts

– President Nikos Christodoulides visited the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to mark the restart of construction work.
– The government aims to reduce electricity prices, with the LNG terminal’s operation playing a key role in this effort.
– Other actions to reduce electricity costs include renewable energy sources and a proposed electrical interconnector connecting Cyprus, Greece, and Israel.
– Construction of the terminal is set to recommence, confirmed by Energy Minister Papanastasiou after a meeting with the Chinese-led CPP-Metron Consortium Ltd (CMC).
– The ministry has not entered any new contractual obligations as the meeting was between the ministry and CMC, without the involvement of the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (Etyfa) and the Natural Gas Public Company (Defa).
– An action group will be created to monitor the project from the ministry’s perspective.
– The floating storage and re-gasification unit, part of the terminal’s contract signed in 2019, is almost complete and will be discussed further via a video call.
– The goal is to reduce the cost of electricity production in Cyprus by switching to natural gas, which is more environmentally friendly and expected to reduce the cost of pollutants by about 40%.