Israel and UN clash over aid to Gaza

SummaryGaza is facing forced starvation, according to a top UN official, Tom Fletcher, who spoke to the BBC. He emphasized the global responsibility to increase aid efforts in Gaza and to take action to prevent genocide. In response, Israel has accused Hamas of stealing food aid and claimed that the UN has not cooperated with their military-organized aid distribution efforts. Full Article

Riyadh's new metro, inaugurated in December after a decade of construction, is transforming social dynamics in Saudi Arabia by allowing diverse social classes to interact for the first time, as commuters of varying backgrounds share the same journeys. Civil servant Zayed al-Ghamdi noted that the metro has facilitated new connections and reduced his commute stress, while sociologist Mohammed Al-Hamza emphasized its significant impact on societal mindsets. As part of the "Vision 2030" reform initiative, the...

Over 1,300 Israeli academics have signed a letter organized by "Black Flag," calling for an end to Israel's violence in Gaza, warning of a moral collapse within Israeli society. They accuse the government of committing war crimes and urge universities to mobilize against the atrocities, highlighting the complicity of academic institutions. The letter emphasizes the need to deradicalize society and resist the dehumanization of Palestinians, echoing a growing international outcry against the ongoing violence in...

Summary The Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met in Tokyo, urging a two-state solution amid ongoing violence in Gaza. They acknowledged Kuwait's vital role in regional peace through humanitarian efforts and agreed to collaborate on clean energy, decarbonization, electricity, and desalination, culminating in the signing of several memorandums of cooperation. This marks Crown Prince Al-Sabah's first visit to Japan since his inauguration in June 2024. Full...

SummaryThe acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Sigrid Kaag, stated that the UN will not participate in humanitarian aid mechanisms for Gaza if they compromise core principles like neutrality and independence. In her UN Security Council briefing, she emphasized the dire humanitarian situation, urging Israel to cease its strikes and warning that current aid is inadequate for the over two million people facing famine, calling it a "lifeboat after the ship...

Palestine and Jordan condemned Israel's plan to construct 22 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, labeling it a violation of Palestinian rights and a threat to regional stability. The Palestinian Authority described the decision as a dangerous escalation, while Jordan's Foreign Ministry called it a breach of international law, asserting that Israel lacks sovereignty over Palestinian land. Hamas decried the plan as an affront to international norms and urged the global community to intervene...