Articles in this Cluster
28-05-2025
Thousands of Palestinians are flocking to aid distribution centers in Gaza despite concerns over Israeli-enforced checks, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distributing around 8,000 food boxes. Many are fearful of Israel's plan to use biometric screening procedures, including facial recognition technology, which they worry will be used to track and target them. The United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the foundation, citing concerns over the politicization of aid. Meanwhile, over 800 UK legal professionals have called for sanctions on Israel, accusing it of "genocide" and "war crimes" in Gaza, where over 3,900 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire collapsed in March.
28-05-2025
Thousands of Palestinians overran an aid distribution site in Gaza set up by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a day after it began working there. The GHF aims to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid in Gaza, where experts have warned of a looming famine. Videos showed crowds walking over torn-down fences and earth berms at the GHF compound in Rafah, with witnesses describing a scene of chaos as people seized food parcels and other aid. The Israeli military said troops nearby fired warning shots. The UN criticized the GHF's plans, saying they contradict humanitarian principles and may "weaponise aid", while the US state department defended the GHF's efforts, saying the UN's criticism was "hypocritical".
28-05-2025
A new U.S. and Israel-backed aid effort, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has begun operating in Gaza despite objections from the United Nations and other humanitarian groups. The GHF distributed around 8,000 food boxes, totaling 462,000 meals, on its first day, but the operation was marred by chaos and reports of security personnel withdrawing amid gunfire. The U.N. has criticized the GHF, calling it a "distraction" from the real issue, which is the need to reopen crossings into Gaza and end Israeli restrictions on aid. The GHF's executive director resigned just a day before operations began, citing concerns over the foundation's independence. Hamas has warned Palestinians not to use the new aid system, calling it part of Israel's plans to transfer Gaza's population. Israel's military campaign has continued, killing at least 52 people, including 36 in a school-turned-shelter, as the aid effort began.
28-05-2025
Former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy says Israel is facing an "impossible dilemma" in its ongoing war in Gaza, as it tries to defeat Hamas while also securing the release of remaining hostages. Levy argues that Israel cannot allow Hamas to remain in power, but also cannot abandon the hostages, and that international pressure to negotiate a hostage swap is misguided as it would incentivize further hostage-taking. He notes that Israel has already paid a "ransom" to secure the release of some hostages, and wonders if a different strategy from the outset, one that defied international pressure, might have brought the war to a sooner end. Levy praises the Trump administration for supporting Israel's efforts, citing the release of several hostages since Trump's return to the White House.
