The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world3 days ago
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said on Sunday (May 5) that Israel denied him entry to Gaza for a second time since the Israel-Hamas war started on October 7.
"Just this week, they have denied -- for the second time -- my entry to Gaza where I planned to be with our UNRWA colleagues including those on the front lines," Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
"The Israeli authorities continue to deny humanitarian access to the United Nations," he said.
UNRWA is the largest aid organisation in Gaza, employing around 13,000 staff in the territory itself where Israel's bombardment has killed at least 34,683 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
"Only in the past two weeks, we have recorded 10 incidents involving shooting at convoys, arrests of UN staff including bullying, stripping them naked, threats with arms & long delays at checkpoints forcing convoys to move during the dark or abort," Lazzarini said.
He also called for an "independent investigation" into rocket fire that led to the closure of a key Israel-Gaza aid crossing.
Hamas's armed wing, Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for Sunday's rocket launches, saying militants had targeted Israeli troops in the area of Kerem Shalom crossing.
Later Sunday, the Israeli army said it struck a Hamas command and control centre in central Gaza.
"Hamas intentionally positioned the command and control position within the vicinity of an active UNRWA location, jeopardising the Gazan civilians taking refuge there," the army said in a statement.
It said the centre was used as a "staging ground for multiple attacks on IDF (army) troops in Gaza's central corridor in recent weeks".
UNRWA was swept into controversy in January when Israel accused several of its 30,000 employees of being involved in the shocking cross-border Hamas attack on October 7.
ALSO READ:
The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world3 days ago
This time around, Trump wants the Senate to give up that gatekeeping role and allow him to make 'recess appointments'
world3 days ago
Police allege the offences took place between 2001 and 2019 against 8 victims; the youngest was 17 at the time of the offence
world3 days ago
The two countries have a mutual defence treaty dating back to 1951, which could be invoked if either side came under attack, including in the South China Sea
world3 days ago
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger on Narendra Modi in Abuja on Sunday
world4 days ago
The titleholder's winning answer focused on using each individual's strengths
world4 days ago
The suspects would be interrogated jointly with the Shin Bet internal security agency, police said
world4 days ago
The attack took place at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Arts and Technology in Jiangsu province
world5 days ago