Head of UN agency for Palestinians urges probe into staff killings

Head of UN agency for Palestinians urges probe into staff killings
UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on UNRWA at UN headquarters in New York on April 17, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 24 April 2024
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Head of UN agency for Palestinians urges probe into staff killings

Head of UN agency for Palestinians urges probe into staff killings
  • Lazzarini stressed an investigation was necessary “to have accountability, in order not to set a new low standard in future conflict situations,” Lazzarini said

UNITED NATIONS, United States: The director of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees hit back at Israel Tuesday, calling for a Security Council probe into the “blatant disregard” for UN operations in Gaza after some 180 staffers were killed.
Philippe Lazzarini also revealed that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) had been able to partly offset a funding shortfall by raising $100 million from online donations since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out in October.
His comments came a day after the release of an independent review that said Israel had not yet provided evidence supporting its claim that hundreds of UNRWA staff were members of terrorist groups. The review did, however, identify “neutrality-related issues” within the agency, for example in employees’ social media posts.
While accepting the findings of the review, Lazzarini told reporters that attacks on UNRWA’s neutrality “are primarily motivated by the objective to strip the Palestinians from the refugee status — and this is a reason why there are pushes today for UNRWA not to be present” in Gaza, east Jerusalem and the West Bank.
UNRWA was established in 1949 to serve Palestinians who lost their homes in the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as their descendants. There are now 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees.
Lazzarini said that he recently “called on the members of the Security Council for an independent investigation and accountability for the blatant disregard of UN premises, UN staff, and UN operations in the Gaza Strip.”
As of Tuesday, 180 UNRWA staff have been killed in the war, 160 premises have been damaged or destroyed, and at least 400 people have been killed while seeking the protection of the UN flag, Lazzarini said.
Vacated UNRWA premises have been used for military purposes by the Israeli army or Hamas and other militant groups, while UNRWA staffers have been arrested and even tortured, he added.
Lazzarini stressed an investigation was necessary “to have accountability, in order not to set a new low standard in future conflict situations,” Lazzarini said.
Allegations by Israel in January that some UNRWA staff participated in the Hamas attacks led to many donors freezing some $450 million in funding at a time when Gaza’s 2.3 million people are in dire need of food, water, shelter and medicine.
Many countries have since resumed their donations, while others, including the United States — which passed a law blocking funding until at least March 2025 — have not.
“In terms of our funding of UNRWA, that is still suspended. We’re gonna have to see real progress here before that gets changed,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday.
Lazzarini said UNRWA was operating “hand to mouth for the time being” but said that online fundraising to the agency totaled $100 million since October 7, in “an extraordinary indication of grassroots solidarity.”
Israel has repeatedly equated UNRWA with Hamas, the militant group responsible for the October 7 attack which resulted in the death of around 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
At least 34,183 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory bombabardments and ground offensive, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.


Tunisian startup takes on e-waste challenge

Tunisian startup takes on e-waste challenge
Updated 6 sec ago
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Tunisian startup takes on e-waste challenge

Tunisian startup takes on e-waste challenge
  • The aim is to have “an environmental and social impact, but also an economic gain,” Cheriha said, adding that refurbished products can be up to 60 percent cheaper in a country where the average monthly salary is around 1,000 dinars ($310)

Engineer turned social entrepreneur Sabri Cheriha hunches over a washing machine at a small depot in a suburb of Tunisia’s capital, the unassuming home of a startup he launched to tackle the country’s mounting electronic waste problem.
Cheriha said there were about 8 million household appliances and 9 million cell phones in use across Tunisia, but once these devices break down or are replaced, “there’s no service to dispose of them properly.”
WeFix, the startup that won him a second-place regional social entrepreneur award last year, stands out by offering an “all-in-one service,” providing collection, repairs, and recycling to reduce e-waste.
The aim is to have “an environmental and social impact, but also an economic gain,” Cheriha said, adding that refurbished products can be up to 60 percent cheaper in a country where the average monthly salary is around 1,000 dinars ($310).
The startup “avoided” 20 tonnes of waste in 2023 and 80 tonnes last year, according to its founder, who anticipates handling another 120 tonnes this year.
“When we talk about ‘avoided waste,’ we’re also considering the resources needed to manufacture a single washing machine — 50 or 60 kg of finished product require over a tonne of raw materials,” he explained.

 

 

 


At UN, Arab nations say they want a ‘Gazan Riviera’ in an independent Palestinian state

At UN, Arab nations say they want a ‘Gazan Riviera’ in an independent Palestinian state
Updated 31 min 47 sec ago
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At UN, Arab nations say they want a ‘Gazan Riviera’ in an independent Palestinian state

At UN, Arab nations say they want a ‘Gazan Riviera’ in an independent Palestinian state
  • Kuwaiti envoy hails international community’s ‘firm stance’ in rejecting displacement of Palestinians
  • Palestinian envoy: ‘We’re not asking for anything beyond the right to live in peace in our own land’

NEW YORK: Arab countries do want to see a Riviera in Gaza, but “a Palestinian Gazan Riviera in the independent and internationally recognized state of Palestine,” Kuwait’s permanent representative to the UN said on Friday.

Reflecting on the historical resilience of places destroyed by war, Tarek AlBanai emphasized that Gaza, with international support, could rebuild and flourish.

“Like any other country that has been devastated by war, like London in World War II, or Dresden, Warsaw, Stalingrad, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, everybody got together, built their cities back, and today they’re some of the most amazing cities around the world,” he said. “So like any other place in the world, this is how Gaza will be rebuilt.”

Speaking on behalf of the UN group of Arab countries, AlBanai condemned any actions aimed at displacing Palestinians from Gaza, which he said would be a violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the forcible transfer of civilians from occupied territories.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to empty Gaza of its more than 2 million Palestinians and turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”

At a press conference in New York, AlBanai was joined by a united front of ambassadors from across the Arab world, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, all of whom categorically rejected any mass transfer of Palestinians.

“We commend the international community’s firm stance in rejecting these proposals and reaffirming their illegality under international law,” AlBanai stated.

“The Arab Group is unwavering in its call for an immediate ceasefire, a return of Palestinian civilians to their homes, and the cessation of Israeli aggression in both Gaza and the West Bank.”

AlBanai, whose country holds the presidency of the Arab Group for February, called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted with broad support, which calls for a complete ceasefire, the restoration of Palestinian homes and neighborhoods, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance on a large scale.

He also reiterated the international community’s commitment to a two-state solution, consistent with international law.

Palestinian Ambassador Riad Mansour stressed the importance of the international community's support for his people’s right to self-determination, and urged the UN to hold Israel accountable for its actions in the Occupied Territories.

“We’re united behind the full implementation of Resolution 2735, which the Security Council must uphold,” Mansour declared.

“The Palestinian people are resilient and we’ll rebuild Gaza, but we need the world’s support to stop the aggression and prevent further crimes against humanity.”

He also called on the international community to stop the forced displacement of Palestinians and respect their desire to return to their ancestral lands.

“Why is it so surprising that we, the Palestinian people, should be allowed to return to the places where we have memories, where we have stories, where we have connections?” Mansour asked passionately.

AlBanai and Mansour praised the efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the US, noting their critical roles in navigating the obstacles to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.

They said the international community’s support for the ceasefire is essential for lasting peace in the region.

Mansour also outlined several key steps that the UNSC and the UN General Assembly must take in the coming weeks to move forward with the implementation of a permanent ceasefire and the rebuilding of Gaza.

These steps include continued support for the Palestinian government and a commitment to ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.

“We’re not asking for anything beyond the right to live in peace in our own land,” Mansour said. “We want a just and lasting peace, and the path forward is clear: the establishment of a two-state solution, the end of the occupation, and the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.

“The international community has the opportunity now to pave the way for peace and support the creation of an independent Palestinian state.”


Security Council condemns death of UN aid worker in Houthi detention

Security Council condemns death of UN aid worker in Houthi detention
Updated 14 February 2025
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Security Council condemns death of UN aid worker in Houthi detention

Security Council condemns death of UN aid worker in Houthi detention
  • Members say threats against humanitarian workers are unacceptable, call for unconditional release of all those detained in Yemen
  • Ahmed, an employee of the World Food Programme, died on Feb. 10; Houthis recently detained 6 aid workers in Saada governorate

NEW YORK CITY: The UN Security Council on Friday strongly condemned the death of Ahmed, a World Food Programme employee, who died in Houthi captivity on Feb. 10.

Council members also denounced the ongoing detention of UN staff, as well as workers from national and international nongovernmental organizations, civil society groups, and diplomatic missions.

They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees held by the Houthis and reiterated that threats against workers delivering humanitarian aid are unacceptable.

The detention of aid workers by the Houthis prompted the UN on Monday to temporarily suspend all operations and programs in Yemen’s Saada governorate, where six people were recently detained.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the decision was a response to the ongoing detention of UN staff by the Houthis, which has compromised the “necessary security conditions and guarantees” for the continuation of UN operations in the area.

It comes as the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, with an estimated 19.5 million people in the war-ravaged country requiring humanitarian assistance and protection services, an increase of 1.3 million people compared with 2024.

During a Security Council meeting this week, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said that 17.1 million people in Yemen, 49 percent of the population, suffer from food insecurity and nearly as many do not have access to enough water for their basic daily needs.

Council members expressed deep concern over the rapid and severe deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen. They highlighted the critical need for humanitarian personnel, including UN staff, to be granted unimpeded access so that they can provide life-saving aid for civilians in need.

They also expressed alarm at the growing risks to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and called on the Houthis to uphold international humanitarian law by ensuring safe, rapid and unimpeded access for aid operations. They reaffirmed that all efforts must be made to guarantee that assistance reaches those who are most vulnerable.

The Security Council underscored the fact that in the absence of a political solution to the conflict in Yemen, the humanitarian crisis in the country will continue to worsen. Members reiterated their commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, and said they stand firm in support of the country’s people.

The council also renewed its support for the UN’s special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and endorsed his ongoing efforts to help reach a negotiated, inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement. This process, they added, must be grounded in the agreed references and consistent with Security Council resolutions.


UN chief calls for end to flow of weapons into Sudan

UN chief calls for end to flow of weapons into Sudan
Updated 14 February 2025
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UN chief calls for end to flow of weapons into Sudan

UN chief calls for end to flow of weapons into Sudan
  • Antonio Guterres: ‘This flow is enabling the continuation of tremendous civilian destruction and bloodshed’
  • UN, along with national and international partners, will launch major humanitarian plans next week

NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for an end to the external flow of weapons into Sudan, which is “enabling the continuation of tremendous civilian destruction and bloodshed.”

He also called for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, and for unrestricted access to aid in areas of need.

“Let’s (be) clear about basic principles,” said Guterres. “Civilians, including humanitarian workers, must be protected.

“Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access must be facilitated in all areas of need.

“The external support and flow of weapons must end. This flow is enabling the continuation of tremendous civilian destruction and bloodshed.”

Guterres was speaking in Addis Ababa at a high-level meeting on Sudan, where he emphasized that the country’s crisis, which has displaced millions and caused widespread suffering, requires an unprecedented response.

Next week the UN, along with national and international partners, will launch two major humanitarian plans to assist those affected by the conflict: the 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, and the 2025 Sudan Refugee Response Plan.

They collectively aim to raise $6 billion to support an estimated 21 million people in Sudan and up to 5 million refugees in neighboring countries.

Guterres called for urgent international action to alleviate the deepening humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged country.

“Now the international community must show the same level of support to the Sudanese people in their moment of despair as the Sudanese people once showed to their neighbors in distress. “Your pledges today, in this room, will be the expression of that support,” he told donors.

Having served as the UN high commissioner for refugees, Guterres shared his personal experiences of working in Sudan, where he witnessed the hospitality of Sudanese people toward internally displaced populations as well as refugees from countries such as Eritrea, Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

He also praised the efforts of countries hosting Sudanese refugees, noting that 3.3 million Sudanese have sought refuge in these nations despite their own challenges.

War has been raging for 19 months between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

A report by the Sudan Research Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine puts the number of deaths in Khartoum state alone at 61,000.

Of these, 26,000 were directly caused by violence, while the leading cause of death across Sudan was preventable disease and starvation.

The death toll is even higher in other parts of the country, particularly in Darfur, where reports of atrocities and ethnic cleansing have been widespread.

Aid workers have warned that the conflict in Sudan has resulted in the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with thousands more at risk of famine.

The UN and other aid organizations have cited 20,000 confirmed deaths, but due to the ongoing fighting and disorder there has been no consistent tracking of casualties.

Last May, US Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello said some estimates suggested as many as 150,000 people may have been killed.

Guterres warned that Sudan’s crisis continues to be “of staggering scale and brutality” and is worsening by the day, with violence spilling over into neighboring regions and humanitarian access remaining a major obstacle.

The Sudanese people “are crying out for an immediate ceasefire” and protection from further harm, he said.

Guterres assured attendees that the UN special envoy for Sudan is actively engaged with the warring parties to implement measures that could help achieve these objectives, including through the full execution of the Jeddah Declaration, which was signed by the US, Saudi Arabia, and representatives of both warring sides on May 20, 2023.

It was intended to facilitate a week-long ceasefire and the distribution of humanitarian aid in Sudan, but a day after it came into effect, clashes erupted again.

With Ramadan fast approaching, Guterres appealed to the international community to take decisive action, invoking the holy month’s spirit of peace, compassion and solidarity.

He urged leaders to provide generous support to the humanitarian response, advocate for respect of international law, and push for an immediate cessation of hostilities to help bring peace to Sudan.

“We must do more — and do more now — to help the people of Sudan out of this nightmare,” he said.


Hariri returns to politics, backs PM Salam, calls for unity

Hariri returns to politics, backs PM Salam, calls for unity
Updated 14 February 2025
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Hariri returns to politics, backs PM Salam, calls for unity

Hariri returns to politics, backs PM Salam, calls for unity
  • This comes after a three-year suspension of his political engagement and that of his party
  • Hariri affirmed that the party, founded by his late father, “will continue, rooted in adherence to the Taif Constitution, state-building, reconstruction, and institutional development”

BEIRUT: Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced on Friday, the 20th anniversary of the assassination of his father Rafic Hariri, also a former PM, the “return of the Future Movement to political activity in all upcoming milestones and events.”
This comes after a three-year suspension of his political engagement and that of his party.
Hariri affirmed that the party, founded by his late father, “will continue, rooted in adherence to the Taif Constitution, state-building, reconstruction, and institutional development. We ask for nothing but a normal state where no weapons exist outside the authority of the state.”
Speaking before crowds that had gathered since the morning from Beirut, Bekaa, and the north, waving Lebanese flags in Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut and chanting his name, Hariri stated: “The supporters of Rafic Hariri remain here, and your voices will be heard in every upcoming national milestone. Everything comes in its own time.”
In what politicians have described as a “responsible, non-provocative, and unifying speech,” Hariri emphasized: “We now have a president, a government, and new hope, which was expressed in the inaugural speech and the statement of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. This is a golden opportunity, and our decision is to support it and reject any attempt to circumvent it.”
Addressing the residents of the south, Bekaa, and Beirut’s southern suburbs — who suffered the brunt of the Israeli war against Hezbollah — Hariri said: “You are partners in this opportunity, and without you, it cannot be realized. You must break the previous impression that you are a force of obstruction, domination, and arms. You are partners in building bridges with Arab brothers and in reconstruction. You are key partners in restoring the legitimacy of the state, which alone — through its army, security forces, and institutions — can protect all Lebanese citizens.”
Hariri added: “Demanding a normal state means a state where weapons are exclusively in the hands of the national army and legitimate security forces, where the economy is free, productive, and provides jobs and a dignified life for all Lebanese. It means a state where the judiciary is independent, laws are upheld, freedoms are protected, and justice is served for the martyrs, the wounded, and those affected by the Beirut port explosion.”
He praised citizens who opened their homes to those forced to flee their communities.
“From the south to the Bekaa, from Beirut to its southern suburbs, we honor all those we have lost. The same unity that carried us through conflict must now heal the unified Lebanese body and drive our reconstruction,” he said, calling for a coordinated effort to rebuild affected areas.
“We fully back the presidency and government in their efforts to build a functioning state,” Hariri said, emphasizing the importance of restoring Lebanon’s regional role and maintaining healthy relationships with both Arab nations and the international community.
Hariri expressed strong support for state institutions and the Lebanese army, particularly in their efforts to implement UN Resolution 1701 and ensure complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied villages.
“Twenty years ago, you demanded justice and, through your determination, removed Bashar Assad’s criminal regime from Lebanon. Now after 20 years, and before that, 30 years of sectarian rule, suffering, injustice, murder, imprisonment, torture, and brutality, the heroic Syrian people have risen and expelled this criminal from Syria. Perhaps this marks not just the beginning of justice, but its ultimate triumph.”
Hariri stressed: “We stand firmly with the Syrian people’s aspirations and their right to self-determination. Our vision is clear: a stable, rebuilt Syria engaging with Lebanon as an equal partner, where both nations’ sovereignty and independence are fully respected.”
Addressing regional issues, Hariri reaffirmed his commitment to Palestinian rights and the two-state solution.
He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s approach saying that “the problem with Netanyahu is his evasion of responsibility and peace in favor of war.”
He warned against attempts to resolve the conflict at the expense of neighboring Arab states including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
President Joseph Aoun paid tribute to Rafic Hariri, calling him “a statesman par excellence.” He highlighted that “his political stance played a crucial role in strengthening national unity, safeguarding civil peace, and implementing the National Reconciliation Document endorsed by the Taif Conference.”
The ceremony, held near Hariri’s tomb, drew tens of thousands of Lebanese, including supporters of the Future Movement.
The event coincided with Israeli warplanes flying over Beirut and its southern suburbs.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese and Iranian foreign ministries worked to facilitate the return of Lebanese passengers from Tehran after Lebanese authorities denied a plane from the Iranian capital permission to land at Beirut airport under Israeli pressure.
Youssef Rajji, Lebanon’s foreign minister, said on Friday that “the Lebanese and Iranian ministries are in communication through the Lebanese ambassador in Tehran to ensure the return of the Lebanese citizens to Beirut.”
On the same day, all roads leading to Beirut airport were reopened following the army’s intervention, ending hours of protests on Thursday night.
Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters had taken to the streets, setting tires ablaze in protest and accusing “the Lebanese state of yielding to Israeli and American demands.”
Avichai Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army, posted a claim alleging that “the Quds Force and Hezbollah are using Beirut airport to smuggle funds intended for arming Hezbollah on civilian planes.”
Following a directive from the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at Beirut airport informed Tehran airport that it would temporarily refrain from receiving the Iranian aircraft.
In a statement, the directorate explained that additional security measures would be implemented to ensure the safety of Beirut airport, Lebanese airspace, and passengers, in coordination with airport security authorities.
These measures align with international aviation standards, but their full implementation would require additional time for certain airlines to comply.
Consequently, flight schedules — including those from Iran — have been temporarily adjusted until Feb. 18.
A political source linked the incident to intelligence suggesting that the plane was carrying funds for Hezbollah, raising security concerns.
Given the airport’s heightened surveillance, authorities have taken precautionary measures to mitigate any potential risks.
Hezbollah, through its deputy Ibrahim Al-Moussawi, accused Israel of repeatedly violating Lebanese sovereignty with US complicity.
He urged the state to stand firm against Israeli threats, regardless of the circumstances.
On Jan. 3, an Iranian plane was searched after an Iranian diplomat on board refused to comply with security procedures.
However, the Iranian Embassy later clarified that the funds in the diplomat’s possession were intended for the embassy’s operational expenses.