Gaza unemployment surges to 80% as economy collapses, UN agency says
ZURICH — Unemployment in Gaza has soared to nearly 80% since the Israel-Hamas war erupted, with the devastated enclave’s economy in almost total collapse, the International Labour Organization said Thursday. Economic output has shrunk by 85% since the conflict with…
EU, Gulf leaders meet for first summit as Mideast turmoil churns
BRUSSELS — The leaders of the European Union and six Gulf nations met for an inaugural summit on Wednesday against a backdrop of turmoil in the Middle East and struggles to find a unified position on the war in Ukraine…
Security Council meets on north Gaza as ‘supplies for survival’ run out
Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, briefed ambassadors on the situation in the north, where fighting has escalated. Hospitals are running out of fuel and critical medical supplies, and food stocks are dwindling. Patients burned alive Ms. Msuya said…
Lebanon war: Essential services in south facing collapse, warns UN
“Today, Israeli airstrikes hit the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, yet again… As the theatre and intensity of the exchanges of fire continue to expand, civilian suffering is reaching unprecedented heights,” said UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert in a…
‘Yet another’ Israeli strike on peacekeepers’ position in southern Lebanon
According to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), early morning on Wednesday (local time), peacekeepers in position near Kafer Kela observed an IDF Merkava tank firing at their watchtower. Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged. “Yet…
‘Age of electricity’ to follow looming fossil fuel peak, IEA says
LONDON — The world is on the brink of a new age of electricity with fossil fuel demand set to peak by the end of the decade, meaning surplus oil and gas supplies could drive investment into green energy, the…
Report: Iran cyberattacks against Israel surge after Gaza war
Israel has become the top target of Iranian cyberattacks since the start of the Gaza war last year, while Tehran had focused primarily on the United States before the conflict, Microsoft said Tuesday. “Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war,…
WHO: Gaza polio campaign starts well, despite Israeli strikes
Geneva — The World Health Organization said on Tuesday it had been able to start its polio campaign in central Gaza and vaccinate tens of thousands of children despite Israeli strikes in the designated protected zone hours before. As part…
Despite regional escalation, peace is still possible in Yemen: UN envoy
The crisis is unfolding as Yemeni Government forces, who are backed by a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels – also known as Ansar Allah – continue their nearly decade-long war. Mr. Grundberg urged the Council “to unite in stopping the…
Lebanon crisis: UN human rights office calls for probe into Israeli strike
“What we’re hearing is that amongst the 22 people who were killed were 12 women and two children,” said Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). “We understand it was a four-storey…