Articles in this Cluster
05-06-2025
Israeli officials are warning that a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the return of hostages, and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid, undermines humanitarian efforts and leaves Hamas in power. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said the resolution "ignores" Hamas, which he claims hijacks aid trucks and stockpiles aid for its own benefit. Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oren Marmorstein added that the resolution does not link the release of hostages to a ceasefire and would allow Hamas to remain in power, potentially leading to another violent attack.
05-06-2025
The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an "unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in Gaza, with the other 14 members voting in favor. The US ambassador to the UN argued that the resolution would "undermine diplomatic efforts" and failed to condemn Hamas as a terrorist organization. The vote comes as over 2 million people in Gaza face starvation due to an Israeli ban on aid shipments, and amid growing concern over the distribution of aid in the region.
05-06-2025
A U.S.-backed humanitarian aid group in Gaza, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has paused its operations for a day after reports of dozens of Palestinians being killed trying to reach its distribution hubs. The group said the pause was for "update, organization, and efficiency improvement work" and to address security concerns. Over 50 people have been killed by Israeli forces near the sites since the group started work, with the Hamas-run Ministry of Health calling the effort a "trap" for hungry Palestinians. The Israeli military has denied accusations of shooting at civilians, instead accusing Hamas of doing so. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has asked Israel to minimize risks to Palestinians seeking food, including guiding foot traffic and enhancing IDF force training.
05-06-2025
The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an "immediate, unconditional, and permanent" ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The US was the only nation to oppose the resolution, with 14 others, including the UK, voting in favor. The US ambassador to the UN said the resolution was unacceptable because it did not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza, and that it undermined Israel's security. The UK regretted the US veto and said it voted in favor of the resolution due to the "intolerable situation in Gaza". The resolution also demanded the release of hostages held by Hamas and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza.
05-06-2025
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed aid group, has paused its aid distribution operations in Gaza for a day due to security concerns and recent fatal incidents. The pause is intended to allow GHF to bolster security around its sites and develop plans to accommodate larger crowds. The decision comes after Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops reportedly shot at Palestinians who strayed from a pre-approved path to get aid, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries over three days. GHF has been in discussions with the IDF to enhance security measures and has asked the IDF to introduce measures to guide foot traffic and minimize escalation risks. The organization's operations have been praised by Israel, but criticized by some aid organizations and the United Nations, which claim that it militarizes aid.
05-06-2025
The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with the US standing by Jerusalem. The resolution, which received 14 votes in favor and one against, did not condemn Hamas or label it a terrorist organization, prompting US Chargé d’Affaires Dorothy Shea to condemn the draft resolution. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, thanked the US for its vote, stating that it stood on the "side of truth, justice, and moral clarity."
05-06-2025
A CNN investigation into a deadly incident near a Gaza aid distribution site found that Israeli gunfire likely caused the shooting that killed at least 31 Palestinians. Eyewitnesses, including those wounded, reported Israeli troops firing at crowds as they gathered near the site in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah. Videos geolocated by CNN showed gunfire near a roundabout where hundreds had gathered. The Israeli military initially denied firing at civilians but later acknowledged firing "warning shots" at suspects. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the new aid distribution mechanism, which has been criticized for being a "death trap" for desperate Palestinians seeking food.
05-06-2025
A paramedic, Assad al Nsasrah, who survived an Israeli attack that killed 15 aid workers in Gaza in March, has described being tortured while in Israeli custody. Al Nsasrah was one of two survivors of the attack, in which Israeli troops killed eight paramedics, six firefighters, and a UN employee, and buried their bodies in a mass grave. He was detained for 37 days and alleges that he was subjected to physical and psychological torture, including being beaten, starved, and isolated in a room with loud music. Al Nsasrah also claims that he heard Israeli troops shooting injured medics at close range. The Israeli military has denied the allegations, stating that al Nsasrah was detained based on intelligence indicating involvement in terrorist activity, but has not elaborated on this claim. Al Nsasrah's testimony is consistent with that of the other survivor, paramedic Munther Abed, who also reported being beaten and used as a human shield.
