humanitarian crisis

US State Department official resigns, says US report on Gaza inaccurate

by
US State Department official resigns, says US report on Gaza inaccurate

Stacy Gilbert, a U.S. State Department official, resigned in protest after a report to Congress falsely claimed that Israel was not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Gilbert, who worked in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, stated that the report’s conclusions were incorrect. The report was submitted in accordance with a new National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden. Gilbert’s resignation came after she disagreed with the final version of the report, which she believed did not accurately reflect the situation in Gaza.

Yale graduates stage pro-Palestinian walkout of commencement (photos+video)

by
Yale graduates stage pro-Palestinian walkout of commencement (photos+video)

Scores of graduating students staged a walkout from Yale University’s commencement exercises on Monday, protesting the Israeli war in Gaza, Yale’s financial ties to weapons makers, and its response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. The walkout drew cheers from fellow students but was otherwise peaceful, with no mention made from the stage.

No US pier aid to UN in Gaza for two days after truck incident

by
No US pier aid to UN in Gaza for two days after truck incident

The United Nations has not received any aid from a U.S.-built pier in Gaza for the past two days after an incident on Saturday in which food was taken from 11 out of 16 trucks before they reached a U.N. warehouse.

Western nations urge Israel to comply with international law in Gaza

by
Western nations urge Israel to comply with international law in Gaza

A group of Western nations, including G7 countries, signed a letter urging Israel to comply with international law in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis. The letter expressed opposition to a full-scale military operation in Rafah and called for increased humanitarian aid to reach the population. Israel denied blocking aid and said it needs to eliminate Hamas for its own protection. The Western nations also called for a sustainable ceasefire and the resumption of essential services in Gaza.

US anchors aid pier to Gaza beach but distribution plans uncertain

by
US anchors aid pier to Gaza beach but distribution plans uncertain

The United States has anchored a temporary floating pier to a beach in Gaza to boost aid deliveries, facing challenges in distributing assistance due to a dire shortage of fuel for aid trucks and security concerns. Trucks carrying humanitarian aid are expected to begin moving ashore soon, but there are still unresolved challenges. The pier project, costing 0 million, aims to combat the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by opening a sea route for aid delivery. Israel and Hamas have been engaged in a seven-month-long war, with the U.N. losing staff members in the conflict. Aid access in Gaza has dwindled, and a severe fuel shortage may impact aid operations. The U.S.-delivered aid will follow a complex path, involving inspections by Israel, third-party collection and distribution by the U.N. officials, and security concerns in the region. Discussions between the U.S. and the U.N. on aid delivery from the pier are ongoing.

Greece rescues 42 migrants off Crete, searches for three missing

by
Greece rescues 42 migrants off Crete, searches for three missing

Greece rescued 42 migrants off the island of Crete and was searching for three missing after their boat sent a distress signal. The migrants were rescued by commercial vessels and a Greek navy helicopter, and a search operation was underway. Crete and Gavdos have seen an increase in migrant arrivals from Libya. Greece has provided support to the islands to handle the situation. Greece has been a popular entry point to the EU for migrants and refugees since 2015, with many arriving on its islands and thousands dying at sea.

British aid shipment leaves Cyprus bound for Gaza pier

by
British aid shipment leaves Cyprus bound for Gaza pier

A British shipment of nearly 100 tonnes of aid has left Cyprus bound for a new temporary pier in Gaza to address the severe humanitarian crisis facing over 2 million people in the region. The shipment included 8,400 shelter coverage kits, and the pier is expected to allow the delivery of 90 truckloads of international aid per day, with a potential increase to 150 truckloads once fully operational.

US aid pier for Gaza floats into wartime reality

by
US aid pier for Gaza floats into wartime reality

The United States is working on establishing a floating pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip to improve aid deliveries, facing challenges such as fuel shortages and security concerns. The project has been slow and expensive, with the U.N. emphasizing that land routes remain crucial for aid operations. Aid deliveries via the maritime corridor have begun, with plans for U.S.-delivered aid to be collected by third parties and distributed by the U.N. Israel has been accused of impeding aid deliveries, but denies any constraints on operations.

Israeli forces push into Gaza from north and south

by
Israeli forces push into Gaza from north and south

Israeli forces have re-entered the northern edge of Gaza to prevent fighters from returning, resulting in intense fighting on both the northern and southern edges of the enclave. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled, and aid groups warn of a looming humanitarian crisis. The death toll has surpassed 35,000, with many more feared buried under rubble. Israel’s assault on Rafah has strained its relationship with the United States, leading to a temporary hold on weapon shipments. Hamas fighters are engaged in battles with Israeli forces in various areas of Gaza.

Faithful descend on Portugal’s Fatima to pray for peace as wars rage

by
Faithful descend on Portugal’s Fatima to pray for peace as wars rage

Tens of thousands of faithful prayed for peace at Portugal’s Fatima shrine amid wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and other places. The shrine marks the site of reported visions of the Virgin Mary over 100 years ago. The Roman Catholic Church believes she gave three messages to three Portuguese children in 1917. Pope Francis made two of the children saints in 2017. Some pilgrims brought Ukrainian flags in support following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.