Tag Archives: Israel

Diplomats prepare ground for June conference on two-State solution for Israel and Palestine

Posted on by
Reply

The preparatory session brought together UN Member States to align expectations and finalise arrangements for eight thematic roundtables that will help shape the conference’s outcome.

General Assembly President Philémon Yang urged countries to seize the crucial opportunity to finally make progress.

“The horrors we have witnessed in Gaza for over nineteen months should spur us to urgent action to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The devastating cycles of death, destruction, and displacement cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

“This conflict cannot be resolved through permanent war, nor through endless occupation or annexation. It will only end when Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in their own sovereign, independent States, in peace, security, and dignity,” he added.

General Assembly President Yang addresses the preparatory meeting.

Concrete outcomes needed

Co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia emphasised the need for the June conference to go beyond reaffirming principles and achieve concrete results on the ground.

“We must urgently move from words to deeds. We must move from ending the war in Gaza to ending the conflict itself,” said Anne-Claire Legendre, Middle East and North Africa advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Faced with the facts on the ground, the prospects of a Palestinian State must be maintained. Irreversible steps and concrete measures for the implementation thereof are necessary.”

Alongside, she reiterated calls for a lasting ceasefire, an immediate influx of humanitarian aid and the release of hostages.

Historic moment

Manal bint Hassan Radwan, head of the Saudi Arabian negotiating team, called the moment “historic,” stating that the preparatory meeting must “chart a course for action, not reflection.”  

“Civilians continue to pay the price of a war that must end immediately. The escalation in the West Bank is equally alarming. Despair grows deeper by the day,” she said.

“This is precisely why we must speak not only of ending the war, but of ending a conflict that has lasted nearly eight decades,” she continued, adding efforts to end fighting and secure release of hostages and detainees must be “anchored in a credible and irreversible political plan that addresses the root cause of the conflict and offers a real path to peace, dignity and mutual security.”

Outcome document

The General Assembly decided to convene the conference in its resolution ES-10/24. Further details were outlined in resolution 79/81.

As outlined in General Assembly resolution 79/81, the Conference will produce an action-oriented outcome document entitled “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and implementation of the two-State solution”.

The aim is to chart a clear and irreversible pathway toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in accordance with UN resolutions.

About the Conference

The conference will include a plenary session with statements from the President of the General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, and the co-chairs, followed by interventions from Member States and observers.

According to a concept note from the co-chairs, the conference will also feature eight thematic roundtables, each focused on critical dimensions of the two-State solution. 

The working groups include security arrangements for both Israelis and Palestinians, the economic viability of a Palestinian State, and humanitarian action and reconstruction.

Source link

Guterres calls on Israel to accept UN’s ‘detailed, principled’ aid plan for Gaza

Posted on by
Reply

Addressing reporters outside the Security Council, António Guterres called once again for a permanent ceasefire to end the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access so aid can flow in following nearly 80 days of Israeli blockade.

‘Cruellest phase’

He said Palestinians in the enclave are now “enduring what may be the cruellest phase of this cruel conflict,” with families being “starved and denied the very basics,” as Israel intensifies its offensive and promotes a new privatised aid distribution network reportedly due to begin on Sunday which would bypass the UN and partner organizations’ aid operation.

Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to treat civilians in Gaza humanely, Mr. Guterres added, and “must not forcibly transport, deport or displace the civilian population of an occupied territory.”

He noted that despite authorising a “trickle of aid” to enter in recent days, supplies from only 115 out of 400 trucks have been cleared for collection and distribution – while nothing has reached the besieged north.

UN ‘working round the clock’

“We are working around the clock to get whatever aid we can to people in need,” the UN chief said, but “needs are massive – and the obstacles are staggering.”

Israel is causing unnecessary delays, imposing quotas on distribution and barring essentials such as fuel, shelter, cooking gas, and water purification supplies – are prohibited.

Furthermore, the lives of UN and other humanitarian staffers are being placed at risk if they continue to be prevented from distributing food parcels and flour to those in desperate need, the UN chief continued.

He said absent rapid, reliable, safe and sustained aid access, more Gazans will die – with profound long-term consequences.

Without making direct reference to the US-backed Israeli plan to create new distribution sites overseen by private contractors in coordination with the military, Mr. Guterres said the UN had been clear: “We will not take part in any scheme that fails to respect international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.”

5-point aid plan

Instead, he said the UN and partners had “a detailed, principled, operationally-sound 5-stage plan” – supported by UN Member States.

  1. Ensure the delivery of aid to Gaza
  2. Inspect and scan aid at crossing points
  3. Transport aid from crossing points to humanitarian facilities
  4. Prepare aid for onward distribution
  5. And transport aid to people in need

“We have the personnel, the distribution networks, the systems and community relationships in place to act,” said the UN chief. “The supplies – 160,000 pallets, enough to fill nearly 9,000 trucks – are waiting.

“This is my appeal for life-saving aid for the long-suffering people of Gaza: Let’s do it right.  And let’s do it right away.”

Source link

Gaza: Israel ‘approaches UN’ to resume limited aid deliveries, says aid agency

Posted on by
Reply

“We have been approached by Israeli authorities to resume limited aid delivery, and we are in discussions with them now on how this would take place given the conditions on the ground,” OCHA said in a statement.

It is now 11 weeks since the Israeli authorities closed off all food, fuel and medicines to Gaza.

The decision has been widely condemned by the international community – including the UN Secretary-General – who on Sunday insisted that Israel’s “siege and starvation” of Gazans “makes a mockery of international law”.

According to news reports the Israel Government has taken the decision to resume “basic” levels of aid delivery to ensure against starvation, on the recommendation of the Israeli Defense Forces and in support of a renewed Gaza offensive.

“The situation for Palestinians in Gaza is beyond description, beyond atrocious and beyond inhumane,” António Guterres wrote online. “The blockade against humanitarian aid must end immediately.”

The aid blockade has created life-threatening hunger across Gaza – something that humanitarians have pointed out did not exist before the war started on 7 October 2023, sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel.

Basic principles

“I emphasize that the United Nations will not participate in any operation that does not adhere to international law and humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” Mr. Guterres insisted, before underlining his “full support” for UNRWA, the largest aid agency in Gaza.

In an update on Monday, UNRWA reported that more than nine in 10 homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. On Sunday the agency’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini announced that more than 300 staff have been killed in the Gaza war. “The vast majority of staff were killed by the Israeli army with their children and loved ones: whole families wiped out,” he noted.

“Several were killed in the line of duty while serving their communities. Those killed were mostly UN health workers and teachers, supporting their communities.”

Ahead of unconfirmed reports on Monday that 20 aid trucks were expected to enter Gaza on Monday, UN agencies OCHA and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that hungry and sick Gazans continue to live in terror because of ongoing bombardment.

In a new call to lift the blockade, both agencies rejected allegations of aid diversion to Hamas and highlighted the humanitarian nature of the goods being denied entry into Gaza, everything from children’s shoes to eggs, pasta, baby formula and tents.

“How much war can you wage with this?” asked OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke.

Briefing Member States in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Monday that the risk of famine “is increasing” as aid continues to be withheld deliberately by Israel.

Health system destroyed

The enclave’s health system is “already on its knees”, he insisted.

“Two million people are starving, while 116 000 tonnes of food is blocked at the border just minutes away,” he told the World Health Assembly.

In response to a resurgence of polio in Gaza, WHO negotiated a humanitarian pause for a vaccination campaign that reached more than 560,000 children, Tedros continued.

“We stopped polio, but the people of Gaza continue to face multiple other threats,” he said. “People are dying from preventable diseases as medicines wait at the border, while attacks on hospitals deny people care, and deter them from seeking it.”

At the same time, the WHO chief called out “increasing hostilities, evacuation orders, [the] shrinking humanitarian space and the aid blockade [that] are driving an influx of casualties”.

Tedros’s comments come as UN aid teams who remain committed to helping all Gazans confirmed intensifying bombing across the devastated Strip. “It has increased, of course,” said one worker, who wished to remain anonymous. They added that in the last 72 hours around 63,000 people have been uprooted.

Source link

Guterres condemns violence against civilians in Syria, urges Israel to stop attacks

Posted on by
Reply

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday that the Secretary-General “has been monitoring with alarm the reports of violence in the suburbs of Damascus and in the south of Syria, including reports of civilian casualties and assassination of local administration figures.”

More than 100 people have reportedly been killed in recent days during clashes with sectarian overtones, including in Suweyda governorate.

Call for restraint

Mr. Dujarric said the Secretary-General condemns all violence against civilians, including acts which could risk inflaming sectarian tensions.

In this context, the UN chief also condemned Israel’s violation of Syria’s sovereignty, including the latest airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus.

“It is essential that these attacks stop and that Israel respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence,” the Spokesperson added.

The Secretary-General unequivocally called on all concerned to cease all hostilities, exercise utmost restraint and avoid further escalation. 

He was encouraged by intra-Syrian efforts to de-escalate the violence and maintain security and stability. 

Mr. Guterres took note of the statement by Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which prioritizes “dialogue and cooperation within the framework of national unity.” He also appealed to the interim authorities to transparently and openly investigate all violations. 

Rights experts’ warning

Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council also warned that the recent surge in violence “is deeply troubling” for peace efforts in Syria

The Commission of Inquiry on Syria said the fighting, combined with ongoing Israeli airstrikes, raises the risk of further fragmentation and harm to civilians.

Members noted that hate speech and incitement on social media are fuelling tensions, urging all sides to stop hostilities and commit to dialogue.

While a local agreement has reportedly been reached between Damascus authorities and community leaders, the interim government remains responsible for protecting civilians.

The Commission also called for credible investigations into alleged abuses.

“Impunity for grave violations has in the past been a consistent driver of Syria’s conflict and must not be allowed to persist,” it said. 

“Only by upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice, accountability and reparations for victims and their families can Syria begin to rebuild trust across its fractured communities.”

Independent voices

The Commission of Inquiry was initially established in August 2011 and its mandate has been consistently renewed, most recently in April.

The three Commissioners serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including the UN.

They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.  

Source link

Israel must end ‘cruel collective punishment’ in Gaza, urges UN relief chief

Posted on by
Reply

In a powerful statement on Thursday, Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance as a “cruel collective punishment” of the Palestinian population.

“Two months ago, the Israeli authorities took a deliberate decision to block all aid to Gaza and halt our efforts to save survivors of their military offensive,” said Mr Fletcher. “They have been bracingly honest that this policy is to pressurise Hamas.”

‘Blocking aid kills’

While reaffirming the urgent need for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 – who “should never have been taken from their families,” – the UN relief chief stressed that “international law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in.”

“Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip,” he added. “Blocking aid kills.”

Mr Fletcher warned that the aid blockade “starves civilians”, denies them basic medical services, and “strips them of dignity and hope.”

He underscored the neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian efforts, adding: “We believe that all civilians are equally worthy of protection. We remain ready to save as many lives as we can, despite the risks.”

Let us save lives

However, the latest delivery mechanism proposed by Israel, he said, “does not meet the minimum bar for principled humanitarian support.”

“To the Israeli authorities, and those who can still reason with them, we say again: lift this brutal blockade. Let humanitarians save lives,” he pleaded.

Addressing civilians in Gaza, Mr Fletcher said: “No apology can suffice… But I am truly sorry that we are unable to move the international community to prevent this injustice. We won’t give up.”

More to follow…

Market Plunges as Middle East War Looms, Rs 10 Lakh Crore Wiped Out from Investors

Posted on by
Reply

Indian markets were hit hard on Thursday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East led to a sharp decline in equity indices, wiping out Rs 10 lakh crore in market capitalization.

The benchmark BSE Sensex nosedived 1,769 points (2.10%), closing at 82,497, while the Nifty 50 plunged 546 points (2.12%) to 25,250. This broad sell-off led to significant losses across sectors, with nearly 2,864 stocks ending in the red compared to just 1,120 gaining stocks.

The fallout from the day’s trading session saw the combined market value of all listed companies on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) plummet by Rs 10 lakh crore, dropping to a total of Rs 465 lakh crore.

Broader Market Impact

The rout was not limited to blue-chip stocks, as midcap and smallcap segments also suffered steep losses. The Nifty Midcap 100 index fell by 1,333 points (2.21%) to 59,024, while the Nifty Smallcap index dropped 378 points (1.96%) to 18,952, indicating widespread bearish sentiment.

Sector-wise, almost all major NSE indices were deeply in the red, with Auto, Financial Services, IT, FMCG, Realty, Energy, Private Banks, and Infrastructure taking the hardest hits.

Top losers on the Sensex included L&T, Axis Bank, Tata Motors, Reliance, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finance, Wipro, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. JSW Steel was the only stock to buck the trend, ending in the green.

Geopolitical Tensions and Domestic Factors

According to market analysts, the sharp downturn was primarily driven by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly following Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel. Fears of an intensifying conflict could potentially push up global oil prices, raising inflationary concerns.

Additionally, domestic factors played a role. New SEBI regulations in the Futures and Options (F&O) segment created uncertainty, leading to concerns over reduced trading volumes and liquidity. With foreign institutional investors (FIIs) also shifting their focus to more attractively valued markets such as China, the pressure on Indian stocks increased.

On October 1, FIIs sold equities worth Rs 5,579 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased Rs 4,609 crore worth of equities, offering some support to the market.

Future Scenario

Market experts warn of further volatility in the coming days. The escalating Middle East conflict could cause oil prices to rise further, adding to inflationary pressures that could weigh on the Indian economy. At the same time, domestic factors, including SEBI regulations and foreign fund outflows, will continue to impact market sentiment.

With global geopolitical and economic uncertainties mounting, investors are bracing for a turbulent period in the markets.

Iran Fires Missiles at Israel – Live Twitter Coverage

Posted on by
Reply

Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, reports Reuters. Soon, social media platforms are abuzz with videos covering the skies lighted with an endless rows of missiles, catching the attention of the whole world.

Alarms sounded across Israel and explosions could be heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley after Israelis piled into bomb shelters.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Iran had launched tens of missiles at Israel, and that if Israel retaliated Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and ruinous”.

Here’s a round-up of some tweets on Iran’s attack on Israel live:

Tension Grips As Iran Missiles Pound Israel, Iron Dome Shelters Targets

Posted on by
Reply

Iran, as warned earlier, fired missiles at Israel at 10 PM (IST) in response Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon to target Hezbollah and days after the militant outfit’s commander Hassan Nasrallah and a top official from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard were killed in airstrikes on Beirut.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said at 10.08 pm IST that the missiles were fired a “short while ago”. The launch was confirmed by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, which said the country had launched “a missile attack on Tel Aviv” and confirmed by news agency Reuters quoting Israeli media as saying that as many as 100 missiles had been launched.

Videos showed debris from missiles intercepted by Israel’s famed Iron Dome and Arrow defence systems raining down on Tel Aviv. The Israeli defence forces also confirmed that blasts had been heard in “Jerusalem and elsewhere”. There have been no reports of any casualties so far.

“Iran’s attack is continuing. You are requested to remain in a protected space until further notice. The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles,” the IDF said in a statement.

However, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reaffirmed their high state of preparedness and readiness to respond to any attacks from Iran. In response to the escalating situation, Israel has launched a ground offensive in Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah. This move is seen as a direct response to the killing of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli air strike last week.

US Backs Israel’s Defensive Measures

The United States and other Western allies have previously stepped in to help defend Israel against a combined Iranian missile and drone attack in April. This attack was launched by Tehran in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. The US official added, “A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”

Despite the escalating tensions, Iran has stated that it would not deploy soldiers to confront Israel. However, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, has said that local groups possess the capability to defend themselves against aggression. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating, “There is nowhere in the Middle East, Israel cannot reach.” He also expressed hope for a future when Iran is finally free, predicting that this would come a lot sooner than people think.

The United States has cautiously backed Israel’s move to dismantle Hezbollah’s ability to attack northern Israel, even as President Joe Biden has called for a ceasefire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington was tracking events in the Middle East very closely. He said, “The United States is committed to Israel’s defense.”

US Boosts Military Presence in the Middle East

In a show of support, the US has boosted its forces in the Middle East by a few thousand troops, bringing in new units while extending others that are already there. The Pentagon has also announced the deployment of more fighter jets to the region. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has offered support to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant for dismantling attack infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon.

The escalating conflict has raised fears of a wider regional conflict that the United States and other world powers have said they want to avoid in the Middle East. The situation remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events.

2006 Lebanon War

The current situation bears a striking resemblance to the 2006 Lebanon War, also known as the July War, which was a 34-day military conflict in Lebanon, Northern Israel, and the Golan Heights. The principal parties were Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The conflict started on 12 July 2006 and continued until a United Nations-brokered ceasefire went into effect in the morning on 14 August 2006, though it formally ended on 8 September 2006 when Israel lifted its naval blockade of Lebanon.

As the world watches with bated breath, the hope is for a swift resolution to the escalating tensions, with diplomatic efforts being made to ensure civilian safety on both sides of the border. The international community is eager to prevent a full-blown conflict that could have devastating consequences for the region and beyond in the form of a Third World War.

The unfolding events serve as a stark reminder of the fragile peace in the Middle East with potential to upset the global order.

UN Security Council passes resolution on Gaza ceasefire, US abstains; Israel upset

Posted on by
Reply

The Security Council, after more than five months of conflict, issued a historic demand for an immediate ceasefire on Monday, marking a significant shift in approach. The United States, typically an ally of Israel, abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to pass with unusual unanimity among the other 14 members.

Notably, the latest resolution does not directly tie the ceasefire to ongoing negotiations led by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, which aim to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Israel has criticized previous resolutions for failing to condemn Hamas explicitly.

This shift in diplomatic efforts reflects the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent further escalation of violence in the region.

This resolution, supported by diverse nations including Algeria, Slovenia, and Switzerland, emphasizes the need for a ceasefire during the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It calls for a truce to pave the way for a lasting peace and urges the release of hostages seized by Hamas and other militants on October 7.

However, Russia objected to the removal of the term “permanent” ceasefire, leading to a failed vote on that amendment. This development underscores the complex dynamics within the Security Council.

The United States’ evolving stance was evident in its recent proposal for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire,” indicating growing frustration with Israel’s military actions. Previous attempts by the US to broker a ceasefire were blocked, highlighting the delicate balance between supporting Israel and addressing concerns about civilian casualties.

 

India Signs Open Skies Pact With 6 Countries During ICAN 2016

Posted on by
Reply

On the sidelines of International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN) – 2016 held recently in Nassau from 5th to 9thDecember, 2016, R.N. Choubey, Secretary, Civil Aviation said that India signed agreements with six nations on air aviation.

The Conference was attended by 106 countries out of ICAO membership of 191 countries. India held negotiations with 17 countries and “Memorandum of Understanding” was signed with 12 countries.   The major issues resolved at these negotiations as per the directions in National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016) are:

  1. Increase in traffic rights:- India renegotiated traffic rights with Oman increasing the entitlements with 6,258 seats effective from Summer 2017 as the existing entitlements were nearly exhausted. The points of call remained unchanged.

India agreed with Saudi Arabia to increase the capacity by 8000 seats per week from IATA season when Indian carrier’s utilization reaches 80%. This was in response to the needs of increasing traffic between the two countries where Indian carriers have been utilising open sky in Damman to mount more flights than the Saudi Arabian side.

India also agreed with Ghana to increase the present allocation of 2 frequencies to 7 frequencies per week to encourage connectivity between the two countries.

  1. Open Skies agreement as per NCAP 2016 :- allows unlimited number of flights to six metro airports namely Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai, was signed with six countries namely Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka. The new arrangement will encourage connectivity and passenger travel between India and these countries.
  2. New Air Service Agreements were signed with Jamaica and Guyana.
  3. Code Shares:- In the present scenario code shares provide seamless connectivity to the travelling passengers and make possible connectivity between far off destinations not served by direct flights.  As per NCAP 2016 code shares are to be encouraged and keeping this in view, negotiations were completed with 9 countries to enable the legal framework between the governments of these countries to make possible code shares between the airlines of two sides. The negotiations have  enabled domestic code shares with Czech Republic, Portugal and Malaysia, domestic and international code shares including third country airlines with Guyana, removal of restriction of counting of capacity in case of code share with 3rd country carriers and domestic code  share to additional two points to Mauritius, code share with 3rd country carriers and 4 additional domestic code share points with Saudi Arabia and Spain and code share with 3rd country carriers with Sri Lanka.
  4. Resolution of other issues relating to Air Services Agreement was also completed with Ghana, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, Hong Kong, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.