Day: 2 April 2024

BEIJING: China has condemned on Tuesday the killing of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen in the Gaza Strip following an Israeli airstrike that targeted their vehicle.

“China opposes all acts that harm civilians, damage civilian facilities, and violate international law,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, adding: “we are shocked by the attack on international rescue workers in Gaza and condemn it.”

US-based aid group World Central Kitchen confirmed in a press statement that seven of its team members were killed in a targeted attack by the Israeli military tanks and warplanes.

The organization called on Israel to stop ‘this indiscriminate killing’ in Gaza.

It further stressed that among the victims were citizens “from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, a citizen holding dual American and Canadian citizenship, and a Palestinian.”

The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s deadly offensive against the Gaza Strip since October 7th, 2023, has now soared to 32,916, medical sources con
firmed on Thursday.

Sources added that at least 75,494 others have also been injured in the onslaught.

At least 71 people were killed and 102 others were injured in Israeli attacks that took place in the last 24 hours, they added.

The sources said that many victims are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are still unable to reach them.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

WASHINGTON: Following the targeted Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid convoy yesterday, resulting in the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers, the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) decided, in an unprecedented step, to pause its humanitarian operations in Gaza.

The killing of WCK humanitarians, occurring less than a month after the still-unexplained killing of Anera staff member Mousa Shawwa, alongside the loss of numerous other aid workers and their families, has led our team to conclude that delivering aid safely is no longer feasible, said Anera in a statement. ‘For the safety of our staff and their families, we are suspending Anera’s work in Gaza.’

Since the onset of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023, Anera’s Gaza team has provided an average of 150,000 meals daily (in collaboration with WCK), millions of medical treatments and thousands of other critical emergency aid items. ‘While we understand the severe consequences this suspension will have on the Palestinian populatio
n, the escalating risks associated with aid delivery leave us with no choice but to halt operations until our staff regain confidence that they can do their work without undue risk.’

In nearly six months of conflict, this marks the first instance where our Palestinian staff in Gaza, enduring continuously hazardous conditions, have deemed the risk to their safety, and that of their families, intolerable, stressed the statement.

‘Anera’s longstanding presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, spanning over 55 years and enduring through multiple conflicts, underscores the gravity of this decision.’ The unprecedented scale of the current conflict and the disregard for international law necessitate this historic pause in our operations, said the statement.

Anera slammed the attack on the seven WCK aid workers as a clear violation of the International Court of Justice’s provisions, emphasizing that humanitarian workers and civilians must never be targeted.

The ongoing targeting of humanitarian workers an
d the lack of adequate safety measures demand thorough investigation and immediate action, it said. ‘Israel bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the unhindered delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance and basic services to those in need.’

In accordance with international law and principles of humanity, parties with effective control over a population are obligated to provide protection, ensuring the provision of essential supplies for civilian survival, said Anera.

Even if specific obligations under occupation laws do not apply, all parties must uphold the minimum duties outlined in international humanitarian law, it added. ‘Israel, as the occupying authority in Gaza, holds ultimate responsibility for obstructing the delivery of essential supplies and failing to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers.’

‘We reiterate our demand for adequate security for humanitarian and health workers, journalists and all civilians, and call for an immediate and enduring ceasefire.’

Source: Palestine News a
nd Information Agency – WAFA

RAMALLAH: The President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas today affirmed Palestine’s commitment to the security and stability of Jordan under the leadership of Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

President Abbas praised King Abdullah II`s role in support of the rights of Palestinian people to freedom and independence.

He also appreciated King Abdullah II`s efforts to halt the brutal aggression waged by Israeli forces against Palestinian people and to ensure meeting the urgent dire need of humanitarian relief to Gaza Palestinian population.

Regarding the issue of the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people, President Abbas praised Jordan’s strong and firm position against such displacement.

The President affirmed the full condemnation of any attempt that would harm the security and stability of Jordan, noting that Jordan’s security is a vital interest for the Palestinian people.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

CAPITALS: Israel’s killing of seven aid workers working for the U.S.-based non-governmental organization, the World Central Kitchen (WCK) which distributes food aid in the famine-prone Gaza Strip, sparked wide international condemnation.

The seven killed are from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, and Palestine.

The World Central Kitchen said following the killing of the seven humanitarian workers that it is pausing its operations immediately in the region.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, called for conducting a swift and impartial investigation into the Israeli strike that killed the seven aid workers.

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, said Israel’s killing of the seven workers is completely unacceptable. He stressed that Australia expects the perpetrators of this crime to be held fully accountable.

British Foreign Minister, David Cameron, also said that the killing of the WCK aid workers in Gaza, including three British Nationals, is co
mpletely unacceptable.

‘Israel must urgently explain how this happened and make major changes to ensure the safety of aid workers on the ground,’ he said in a post on the X platform.

Andrew Mitchell, British Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, also requested a swift and transparent investigation into their killing and demanded the results of the investigation be shared with the international community in full. He called for holding those responsible for the attack fully accountable.

The United Kingdom also summoned Israel’s ambassador in London following the killing of the seven workers.

Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, urged Israel to clarify the circumstances of the airstrike on the seven aid workers.

‘I hope and demand that the Israeli government clarifies as soon as possible the circumstances of this brutal attack that has taken the lives of seven aid workers who were doing nothing more than helping,’ Sanchez said.

Germany also urged Israel to carry out a fu
ll investigation into the strike that killed seven aid workers working for the World Central Kitchen.

“The Israeli government must investigate this terrible incident quickly and thoroughly,” she wrote on X.

‘Humanitarian workers must be able to carry out their important work safely – around the world as well as in Gaza.’ ‘Incidents like this cannot be allowed to happen,’ she added.

Polish foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, also called for an impartial investigation into the Israeli attack on a humanitarian convoy in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the killing of seven aid workers, including a Polish citizen.

He said that he requested the Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Poland, Yacov Livn, to provide prompt clarification into their killing, stressing that Warsaw intends to conduct an independent investigation into the matter.

The EU Foreign Policy Chief, Joseph Borell, condemned the killing of the seven WCK aid workers and urged for an investigation.

‘Despite all the demands to protect civilians
and humanitarian workers, we see new innocent casualties,’ he said in a post on X.

Spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin said that China opposes all acts that harm civilians, damage civilian facilities and violate international law. ‘We are appalled by and condemn the attack on international aid workers in Gaza and express deep condolences over the death of the victims.’

Jean-François Corty, vice president of Médecins du Monde, said the Israeli airstrike that killed seven workers in Gaza is “a message sent by the Israeli army” aimed at preventing humanitarian workers from intervening on the ground.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II offered his deepest condolences to the founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK). José Andrés. and the World Central Kitchen over the tragic death of their team members while delivering urgent food aid to Gazans. ‘We thank you for your sacrifice and humanity. Humanitarian agencies must be protected in Gaza.’ He said in an X post.

The United Arab Emirates also condemned, in
the strongest terms, the Israeli occupation forces targeting of the World Central Kitchen team.

The UAE held Israel fully responsible for this dangerous development and called for an urgent, independent and transparent investigation, and punishment of those who have committed this heinous crime in contravention of international humanitarian law.

The Ministry stressed the importance of an immediate ceasefire and avoiding the targeting of civilians, organizations, civilian facilities, and relief organizations. The Ministry also urged to desist from imposing restrictions on humanitarian aid, and using food as a weapon, and to immediately provide protection to humanitarian relief personnel without delay.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

RAMALLAH: President Mahmoud Abbas this evening, received a telephone call from the Jordanian King Abdullah II.

President Abbas reiterated during the call Palestine’s stand in solidarity with the Kingdom of Jordan, headed by King Abdullah II.

President Abbas stressed the complete rejection of all attempts to tamper with Jordan’s security and stability or attempts to exploit the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to tamper with the Jordanian arena, affirming the rejection of any external interference in the internal Jordanian affairs.

President Abbas stressed his confidence that Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, would overcome all circumstances and remain a safe and stable country, stressing that security and stability in Jordan are in the supreme interest of Palestine.

The president renewed his gratitude for Jordan’s steadfast positions in support of granting the Palestinian people all their legitimate rights, as well as for its efforts to stop the Israeli aggression agai
nst Palestinians, deliver aid to Gaza and prevent the forced displacement of its population.

The president also praised the important role of Jordan in protecting the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem through the Hashemite custody of the holy sites.

For his part, the King of Jordan thanked the President for his brotherly positions, reaffirming Jordan’s continued support for the Palestinian people until they obtain their legitimate rights and establish their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

RAMALLAH: Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mohammed Mustafa, discussed today with British Foreign Minister David Cameron the developments of the situation in the Palestinian territories and the ongoing war of genocide waged by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people.

During a telephone call, the British Foreign Minister congratulated Mustafa on the formation of the Palestinian government, wishing the new government success in its tasks and its reform program.

They also discussed the latest developments in the situation in the Palestinian territories, reviewing the occupation’s obstacles, especially ones facing the work of the Palestinian government, and its continued deductions from the Palestinian clearance funds, at a time when its aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip continues, exacerbating the suffering of citizens.

Mustafa stressed that this requires the urgent need to deliver aid and relief to the Palestinian people throughout the Gaza
Strip.

For his part, Cameron expressed the British government’s interest in the success of the new Palestinian government in implementing its reform programs and plans, stressing Britain’s position in support of peace by achieving the two-state solution.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

JEDDAH: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the ‘horrific crime’ that targeted the World Central Kitchen (WCK) team, which resulted in the killing of seven aid workers.

‘This massacre sends a clear Israeli message to the world that everyone is threatened with death in the Gaza Strip, amid deliberate starvation and indirect expulsion of international organizations, a policy that began with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and continues to intimidate all those working to provide food to the residents of Gaza,’ said OIC.

The organization called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards compelling Israel, the occupying power, to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

It reiterated its call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, the provision of protection to civilian properties and civilians, including relief workers.

OIC called for ensuring a
dequate and sustainable delivery of humanitarian assistance to the entire Strip.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA