CAIRO: The UN food agency said Tuesday that one of its warehouses in the Houthi-controlled part of Yemen had been looted.
The World Food Program statement described the culprits simply as “militias” and over 115,000 kilograms of aid were stolen in the northern province of Hajja.
A senior aid worker, however, said Houthi militiamen were behind the looting. The worker spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal.
Millions of Yemenis live just a step away from famine and rely on food aid.
The WFP began a partial suspension of food aid to areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthi rebels last June, amid accusations they were diverting aid from the war-torn country’s hungriest people. The Houthis denied the accusation. Aid deliveries resumed in August.
The WFP provides food assistance to 12 million people every month. The agency spoke out repeatedly last year about aid diversion at the hands of Houthis and accused them of impeding its operations.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government since 2014, when the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa.
UN food agency says aid looted in Yemen’s Houthi-held area
https://arab.news/6z3gm
UN food agency says aid looted in Yemen’s Houthi-held area
- A senior aid worker said Houthi militiamen were behind the looting
- The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been at war with Yemen's internationally recognized government since 2014
Jordanian, Irish foreign ministers discuss Gaza war in phone call
- The two ministers discussed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- Safadi thanked Martin for his country's position on ceasefire and need for aid
AMMAN: Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi received a phone call from the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin on Thursday, Jordan News Agency reported.
The two ministers discussed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the prompt delivery of sufficient, sustainable aid to the enclave.
They also stressed the significance of implementing Security Council Resolution No. 2728, adopted on Tuesday, which called for a ceasefire during Ramadan.
Israel bombed at least four homes in Rafah on Wednesday, raising new fears of a long-threatened ground assault.
Safadi highlighted the necessity of upholding international law and humanitarian principles.
Talks also touched upon ongoing efforts to halt Israel’s offensive and address the resulting humanitarian crisis.
Both ministers reiterated their commitment to continued collaboration and joint efforts to facilitate aid into Gaza.
Safadi emphasized the importance of Ireland and other European nations officially recognizing the Palestinian state. He thanked Martin for his country's position on a ceasefire and need for aid, as well as its backing of the two-state solution.
Israel has laid siege to Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, cutting off food, fuel, water, and power supplies.
Judges at the International Court of Justice on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary action to ensure basic food supplies arrived without delay to the Palestinian population.
On Wednesday, Martin announced the Irish government would intervene in the case brought by South Africa, arguing that the restriction of essential goods in Gaza may constitute genocidal intent.
Shoukry reiterates Egypt’s objection to Rafah ground offensive in phone call with British FM
- Shoukry emphasized to Cameron that Egypt rejects any ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah
- He warned of its grave humanitarian repercussions and its potential security impacts on the region’s stability
CAIRO: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip in a phone call.
Shoukry received Cameron’s call within the framework of consultation and coordination about the situation in the Gaza Strip and the necessary action to end the humanitarian crisis there.
The two sides exchanged assessments on the dire humanitarian and security conditions in the Gaza Strip and the regional and international action needed to achieve a ceasefire, swap detainees and deliver humanitarian aid in full to the Strip.
They stressed the necessity of ensuring the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 and building on it to reach a full and sustainable ceasefire.
The discussion addressed means of coordination between international and regional parties to halt the war in the Gaza Strip.
Shoukry affirmed that Egypt was continuing its efforts at all levels to facilitate reaching an agreement to enforce the truce in Gaza, leading to a permanent ceasefire in the Strip for the preservation of the lives of Palestinian civilians.
Shoukry assured his British counterpart of Egypt’s rejection of any ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah, warning of its grave humanitarian repercussions and its potential security impacts on the region’s stability.
He also stressed the necessity of putting an end to Israeli policies and practices attempting to create an uninhabitable situation in the Gaza Strip, including indiscriminate targeting, starvation and collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.
Shoukry reiterated the rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians outside their territories and any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause.
Shoukry and Cameron agreed to continue consultations during the coming period on the path toward curbing the crisis in the Gaza Strip and containing its repercussions.
Italian PM visits personnel engaged in UNIFIL mission in Lebanon
- Najib Mikati, Giorgia Meloni discuss efforts to reduce tensions in region as death toll from Israeli strikes rises
- Sirens sounded twice at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura while the Italian prime minister was in the south
BEIRUT: Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing all international resolutions, especially UN Resolution 1701, approved in 2006 to resolve the war between Israel and Hezbollah that same year.
He also emphasized the need for Israel to implement these resolutions fully and to cease its attacks on Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Mikati made the remarks as he received visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Beirut.
On Thursday, Meloni inspected the Italian contingent at the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, in the Chamaa village, and thanked the troops for their services.
The Italian contingent is one of southern Lebanon’s biggest UNIFIL military units.
Meloni’s visit lasted 24 hours, during which tensions flared significantly in southern Lebanon due to the latest military developments.
Sirens sounded twice at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura while the Italian prime minister was in the south.
Chamaa Mayor Abdel Kader Safieddine said the visit was limited to “an internal military meeting with the head of the Italian unit and the major general of the Taurinense Alpine Brigade.”
He told Arab News: “No traditional reception arrangements were carried out due to the ongoing situation.”
Meloni’s talks with Mikati took place on Wednesday night.
According to a statement issued by his office, Mikati “reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the full implementation of all international resolutions relating to the region and Lebanon, in particular UN Resolution 1701.”
Mikati recalled that Israel must also commit to the full implementation of UN resolutions and cease its land, sea, and air attacks against Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Both parties “expressed their satisfaction with UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan, hoping it would turn into a lasting ceasefire.”
Meloni’s arrival in Beirut on Wednesday night coincided with a bloody Israeli escalation.
The White House called on Israel and Lebanon to place a high priority on restoring calm as the death toll from Wednesday’s Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon climbed to 16, including several militants and members of paramedic groups.
“Restoring calm along that border remains a top priority for President Biden and for the administration and it has to be of utmost importance, we believe, as well for both Lebanon and Israel,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ethan Goldrich arrived in Beirut and met with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, accompanied by Ambassador Lisa Jones.
Goldrich emphasized “the need to support diplomatic initiatives to restore stability in the south and the region.”
Separately, Bou Habib assured the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka that “Lebanon will continue to push for the full implementation of Resolution 1701, as it is the optimal way to achieve the desired stability.”
The resolution calls for, among other things, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah.
The Israeli army committed two massacres in Naqoura and Tayr Harfa, following the Al-Habbaryeh massacre committed on the morning of the same day.
Hezbollah and the Amal Movement mourned the dead in statements issued on Thursday.
Several wounded people, including a woman, were transported to hospitals in the city of Tyre for treatment, where courtyards were filled with locals and blood donors.
Hezbollah responded to the Israeli attacks on Thursday morning by targeting “the settlements of Goren and Shlomi with missile and artillery fire.”
The group said it targeted the newly established headquarters of the Liman Battalion with artillery shells.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corp. quoted an Israeli official as saying that “the Israeli army will enter Lebanon after the completion of the Rafah operation.”
Israeli Northern Command Chief Uri Gordin announced on Wednesday that “Israeli forces are ready to act on the Lebanese border.”
British minister discusses Gaza with Arab League chief, Egyptian foreign minister in Cairo
- League’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, thanks Lord Tariq Ahmad for UK’s support in vote on UN Security Council ceasefire resolution this week
- Ahmad and Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of aid reach the people of Gaza
LONDON: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit held talks in Cairo on Thursday with the British minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Tariq Ahmad, about the conflict in Gaza.
Aboul Gheit thanked the UK for its “supportive vote” this week in favor of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, his spokesperson Gamal Roshdy said.
The secretary-general also called for the urgent implementation of the resolution on the ground to halt the Israeli military campaign, and underscored the “critical necessity of immediate humanitarian aid access to Gaza” to alleviate the dire crisis and famine affecting the people there.
“Aboul Gheit highlighted the significance of unified diplomatic endeavors, post military cessation, to capitalize on the UN Security Council’s resolution, aiming at achieving stability and outlining a political pathway toward the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Roshdy added.
Ahmad was in agreement about the important need to enact the UN resolution and deliver aid to Gaza using land routes, Roshdy said.
The British minister, who was making his third official visit to Egypt since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel, also met the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, to discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of lifesaving aid reach Palestinians in Gaza.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Ahmad wrote: “Pleased to meet my good friend, Foreign Minister Shoukry, during Ramadan in Cairo. We discussed the need for full implementation of (the UN Security Council resolution) to get more lifesaving aid into Gaza, get hostages out, and provide an irreversible pathway to” a two-state solution.”
He added: “Egypt is a vital partner, and boosting UK-Egypt ties will enable our nations to work towards a shared goal — bringing greater stability to the region. As my visit coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, I am also looking forward to celebrating Egypt’s unique culture.”
Arab League chief highlights need for Palestinian reconciliation in talks with Fatah delegation
- Spotlight on importance of prioritizing ceasefire, facilitating aid to Gaza
- Aboul Gheit emphasized the urgency of swiftly moving toward a political settlement that would pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state
CAIRO: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has emphasized the importance of pursuing all possible avenues to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.
He spoke as he welcomed a high-level delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo.
The talks followed the delegation’s separate meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
Aboul Gheit also stressed the importance of prioritizing a ceasefire and facilitating the delivery of aid to Gaza.
He emphasized the urgency of swiftly moving toward a political settlement that would pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Aboul Gheit said that the Palestinian National Movement served as an overarching platform for all factions, adding that Fatah had played an undeniable role in the Palestinian struggle over the decades.
He reiterated that unity among Palestinian ranks was indispensable for realizing the vision of a Palestinian state.
The Fatah delegation included Mahmoud Al-Aloul, the movement’s vice president; Rawhi Fattouh, the president of the Palestinian National Council; and Azzam Al-Ahmad and Samir Al-Rifai, members of Fatah’s Central Committee.
Jamal Rushdi, a spokesperson for Aboul Gheit, said that the secretary-general had listened to a presentation by Fatah leaders on the latest developments in the region.
Discussions centered on the war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and the violence faced by Palestinians by occupation forces and armed extremist settlers in the West Bank.
The Arab League’s chief stressed the role of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah in the struggle and spoke of the need to end the geographical and political division that had plagued Palestinians since 2007.
Aboul Gheit listened to the leaders and their strategies to bolster Palestinian resilience on their land, whether in the West Bank or Gaza.
He conveyed the Arab League’s unwavering support for the Palestinian Authority’s endeavors to harness global momentum in advocating for Palestinian rights.
He added that the Gaza catastrophe had revealed unimaginable brutality and a stark absence of humanity, which had elicited shock from conscientious people worldwide.
Aboul Gheit insisted that the world was now convinced of the inevitability of Palestinians achieving their right to self-determination and establishing an independent state.
This conviction contrasted sharply with previous notions that the Palestinian issue could be managed through “economic peace.”
Aboul Gheit spoke of the Arab League’s vision with the delegation, based on recent engagements with influential international actors close to recognizing the Palestinian state.
He stressed that the correct approach to negotiating a final settlement was to recognize statehood and attain permanent membership in the UN.