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Tag: Gaza

  • Pakistan not sending troops for Gaza International Stabilisation Force

    Pakistan not sending troops for Gaza International Stabilisation Force

    Pakistan was not named among the five countries that committed personnel to the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC on Thursday.

    The ISF is expected to secure reconstruction zones and support governance arrangements in Gaza following a ceasefire negotiated in October by the administration of US President Donald Trump with Qatar and Egypt. 

    Major General Jasper Jeffers, the force’s American commander, said Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Morocco would contribute troops or police personnel. He added that an Indonesian officer would serve as deputy commander.


    Morocco said it was prepared to deploy police and officers to the force. Indonesia earlier indicated it could send up to 8,000 troops, nearly half of the 20,000 personnel sought for the mission.

    In Islamabad, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was awaiting clarity on the mandate of the ISF before taking a decision.

    “We understand that a decision is awaited on the contours of the mandate of the International Stabilisation Force, and till such time, we’re not in a position to take any decision on this matter,” he said during a weekly briefing.

    “Pakistan can be part of a peacekeeping mandate, but we would not be part of any disarming/ demilitarisation mandates.”

    The second phase of the Gaza plan calls for the disarmament of Hamas. Speaking at the meeting, Trump said he hoped force would not be required, adding that Hamas had indicated it would disarm.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called for the disarmament of Hamas and what he described as a deradicalisation process in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas would be disarmed “one way or the other.”

    Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said any international presence must monitor the ceasefire and prevent further Israeli military action, adding that disarmament could be discussed.

    At the meeting, Trump also announced a $10 billion US contribution for Gaza reconstruction and said other countries had pledged additional funding through the Board of Peace initiative.

  • UNRWA fires hundreds of Gaza-based staff amid dire financial crisis

    UNRWA fires hundreds of Gaza-based staff amid dire financial crisis

    The UN’s beleaguered agency for Palestinian refugees said Wednesday that a “dire” financial crisis had this week forced it to fire hundreds of Gazan staff who had left the territory.


    For more than seven decades, UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) has provided aid and assistance to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

    A spokesperson said, “On Tuesday, 571 local UNRWA staff, working outside Gaza, were informed that they were being separated from the agency with immediate effect.”


    However, the agency has faced a sharp decline in voluntary contributions, which it relies on for funding, amid growing attacks from Israel. This has caused an unprecedented financial crisis for the organisation.


    The spokesperson added that while UNRWA’s operations cost $880 million last year, it received only about $570 million in contributions. 


    “As things stand, we expect a substantial shortfall in 2026,” they said.

    All staff affected by this week’s announcement were originally based in the Gaza Strip but had relocated outside the territory after the genocide started in October 2023.

  • Angelina Jolie visits Egypt’s Gaza border

    Angelina Jolie visits Egypt’s Gaza border

    Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie on Friday visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza, where she met Red Crescent volunteers and truck drivers ferrying humanitarian aid, international news organisations have reported.

    Accompanied by an American delegation and received by former and current Egyptian officials, the Oscar-winning actor walked through the aid staging area at the crossing, stopping to speak with volunteers coordinating relief efforts as Israel’s humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates. 

    Witnesses said Jolie listened intently as workers described delays and shortages, with long lines of trucks standing idle near the border.

    A Red Crescent volunteer told Jolie that “there are thousands of aid trucks just waiting” to enter Gaza, underscoring the scale of assistance blocked at the crossing.

    According to local media reports, Jolie who previously served as a special envoy for the UN refugee agency made the visit to observe the condition of injured Palestinians transferred to Egypt and to assess the flow of humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged territory.

    Neither Jolie nor Egyptian authorities have issued an official statement regarding the visit.

    The Rafah border crossing was expected to reopen under the ceasefire in effect in Gaza since October, but it has so far remained closed, further constraining the delivery of aid into the enclave that has already ensured genocide.

  • Pakistan flags Gaza ethnic cleansing fears after Israel recognises Somaliland

    Pakistan flags Gaza ethnic cleansing fears after Israel recognises Somaliland

    A number of countries, including Pakistan, at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) , expressed concern that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, might be connected to plans to create military bases or forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza. 


    Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon, Pakistan’s Deputy UN Ambassador, described Israel’s action as “deeply troubling” during a UNSC briefing, given previous mentions of Somaliland being a potential Palestinian destination.

    “Against the backdrop of Israel’s previous references to ‘Somaliland’ of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a destination for the deportation of Palestinian people, especially from Gaza, its unlawful recognition of ‘Somaliland’ region is deeply troubling,” Jadoon said.

    On Friday, Israel became the first nation to acknowledge Somaliland as an independent nation. Despite declaring its independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has not received UN recognition. 


    Jadoon cited an Associated Press story from March that claimed Israel and the United States had spoken with representatives of Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland about utilizing their borders to move Palestinians from Gaza.

    “For decades, Israel’s dispossession and occupation of Palestinian land have been a central source of instability and conflict in the Middle East. It is now exporting this destabilising conduct to the Horn of Africa, with serious implications for regional peace and security,” he said.

    He said Pakistan “unequivocally rejects any proposals or plans aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians” and cited a UNSC resolution endorsing a US-backed Gaza peace plan that stated “no one will be forced to leave Gaza”.

    “Any actions that advocate or imply displacement or resettlement not only violate international law but also undermine the prospect of a just and lasting peace,” Jadoon said.

    He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Palestinians, stating, “The only path to lasting peace and stability lies in the realization of an independent, contiguous and sovereign state of Palestine on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.”

    Jadoon called Israel’s recognition of Somaliland “a direct assault on Somalia’s international borders” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 


    “Somaliland” is still an essential, unbreakable, and indispensable element of Somalia. He added that Pakistan and a number of Organization of Islamic Cooperation nations had opposed Israel’s action and that “no external actor has either the legal standing or the moral authority to alter that fundamental reality.”

    Arab League UN Ambassador Maged Abdelfattah Abdelaziz told the Council the bloc rejected “any measures arising from this illegitimate recognition aimed at facilitating forced displacement of the Palestinian people or exploiting northern Somali ports to establish military bases.” 

    Somalia’s UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman said Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia “unequivocally reject any steps aimed at advancing this objective, including any attempt by Israel to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to the northwestern region of Somalia”.

    The United States defended Israel’s decision, with Deputy US Ambassador Tammy Bruce telling the Council, “Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state.”

    She compared Israel’s recognition of Somaliland to decisions by several countries to recognise a Palestinian state, saying, “Earlier this year, several countries, including members of this council, made the unilateral decision to recognise a nonexistent Palestinian state, and yet no emergency meeting was called to express this Council’s outrage.”

    Bruce accused other Council members of applying “double standards”.

    Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Zbogar rejected the comparison, stating, “Palestine is not part of any state. It is illegally occupied territory,” while Somaliland “is part of a UN member state”.

    UK Ambassador James Kariuki reiterated support for Somalia’s unity, while Israel’s representative Jonathan Miller said the recognition was “not a hostile step towards Somalia” and “an opportunity to strengthen stability”.

  • Israel tops list of countries killing journalists in 2025

    Israel tops list of countries killing journalists in 2025

    Israel killed more journalists in 2025 than any other country, a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

    According to the report, Israeli forces – carrying out the genocide in Gaza – were responsible for the deaths of 29 Palestinian reporters. This marks the third consecutive year that Israel has been named the top killer of journalists.

    The annual report also revealed that 67 journalists were killed worldwide this year, which is one more than in 2024. Israeli forces were responsible for about 43 percent of those killings.


    “This is where the hatred of journalists leads!” said Thibaut Bruttin, RSF’s director general. “It led to the death of 67 journalists this year… not by accident, and they weren’t collateral victims. They were killed, targeted for their work.”


    Bruttin attributed the rise in journalist killings to the “failure” of international organisations to protect reporters in conflict zones, calling it a consequence of a global decline in the “courage of governments”. 

    “Journalists do not just die, they are killed.”

    It may be noted that the report comes months after a “double-tap” attack on a hospital in the southern part of the enclave resulted in the deadliest single attack in Gaza this year.


    Five journalists were killed in the attack in August, among whom were contributors to Reuters and The Associated Press, and photographer Mohammad Salama of Al Jazeera.

    According to monitoring site Shireen.ps, nearly 300 journalists and media workers have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza over 26 months of genocide, averaging about 12 journalists each month. 


    Israel continues to bar foreign reporters from Gaza, except for tightly controlled tours organised by the Israeli military, despite repeated calls from media and press freedom groups for access.


    Mexico ranked as the second most dangerous country for journalists in 2025 with nine deaths. Other high-risk countries include war-torn Ukraine, where three journalists were killed, and Sudan, which recorded four deaths over the year.


    RSF also tracks journalists imprisoned for their work. With 121 reporters detained, China tops the list, followed by Russia (48) and Myanmar (47).


    503 journalists were being held in 47 nations as of December 1. 

    Additionally, the organisation said that 20 journalists are presently being held hostage and that 135 journalists are missing in 37 countries.

  • Miss Palestine to ‘carry the voice of Gaza’ in Miss Universe pageant

    Miss Palestine to ‘carry the voice of Gaza’ in Miss Universe pageant

    Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub is set to become the first woman to represent Palestine at the Miss Universe pageant, marking a historic moment for the nation on the global stage.

    The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said in a statement sent to CNN that it was “pleased to confirm” that Ayoub would compete in the Miss Universe 2025 competition, which takes place in November.

    “The Miss Universe Organization proudly welcomes delegates from across the globe, celebrating diversity, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of women,” Miguel Ángel Martínez, MUO’s head of communications, wrote in an email to CNN.

    Ayoub will join competitors from more than 130 other countries and territories at the 74th Miss Universe final, which will be held on November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Ayoub, now 27, was crowned Miss Palestine back in 2022.

    In an Instagram post, Ayoub said she wanted to be a voice for the Palestinian people.

    “I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe,” she wrote in the caption.

    “As Palestine endures heartbreak — especially in Gaza — I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced. I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see,” Ayoub added.

    “We are more than our suffering — we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.”

    The decision to include a Palestinian entry in the beauty pageant comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in two years, with thousands still under rubble. At least 20,000 children are among the dead.

    Her decision to join the Miss Universe pageant is widely applauded as she will become the voice of Palestinians on an international forum.

  • Jenna Ortega calls Palestinians her ‘heroes’

    Jenna Ortega calls Palestinians her ‘heroes’

    Wednesday star Jenna Ortega is just as fearless as the iconic character she portrays on Netflix’s mega smash series.

    The star has once again voiced her support for the Palestinian people, calling them her “heroes” in a recent interview with French magazine Gala.

    Speaking at a Dior-hosted party in Paris, the outspoken actress praised the resilience and courage of Palestinians amid the indifference of world leaders.

    “I see the people of Palestine as my heroes,” Ortega said. “They are continuously using their voices despite the world ignoring their pleas.”

    She added that she hopes to amplify their struggle. “I wish to lift and raise their voices as well,” Ortega continued, calling their efforts “important and commendable.”

    This is not the first time the 21-year-old actor has taken a public stance on the issue. In June, she shared a series of Instagram posts referencing attacks in Iran and Palestine, writing: “My thoughts are heavy” and that “Palestinian cries are being buried in everyday media.”

    In 2023, Ortega also made headlines after leaving the Scream VII just one day after her co-star Melissa Barrera was fired over pro-Palestine social media posts. While many speculated her departure was an act of solidarity, the studio denied any connection, attributing Ortega’s exit to scheduling conflicts.

    Jenna Ortega’s continued vocal support for Palestine has drawn praise from her fans.

    Several Hollywood celebrities are raising their voices against the genocide being carried out in Gaza.

    As per the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 67,160 people have been killed so far and 169,679 wounded by Israeli attacks across Gaza since October 2023.

  • Jennifer Lawrence slammed for ‘insincere’ Gaza comments after two years of silence

    Jennifer Lawrence slammed for ‘insincere’ Gaza comments after two years of silence

    Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence is facing backlash online after finally addressing the Israeli war on Gaza, calling it “no less than a genocide” during a press conference at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

    While some praised her for speaking out, many on social media questioned why it took so long for the 35-year-old star to publicly comment on a humanitarian catastrophe that has already claimed over 65,000 lives and left more than 160,000 injured.

    “I’m terrified and it’s mortifying,” Lawrence said at the event, where she was being honored with the Donostia Award. “What’s happening is no less than a genocide and it’s unacceptable. I’m terrified for my children, for all of our children.”

    However, her words were met with skepticism online. Critics accused the actress of “performative activism” and “jumping on the bandwagon” months into a crisis that has sparked worldwide protests, calls for ceasefires, and condemnation from humanitarian groups.

    “She was doing propaganda for her bff Amy Schumer (in Variety no less) at the start of the genocide,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), referring to Lawrence’s defence of Schumer who came under fire for unabashedly siding with Israel. “I guess Jennifer finally got to her preferred number for murdered Palestinians to finally say something. I guess 650k dead was enough for her. She thought 10k wasn’t enough. Evil woman.”

    Another one wrote: “Melissa Barrera spoke up from the beginning, risked her Hollywood career, was fired, nearly blackballed, smeared, all for supporting a Free Palestine. Any other celeb speaking up after TWO years now that it’s “safe” and PR-friendly is just a f*cking ghoul and an opportunist.”

    Another wrote: “crazy how so many zionist celebrities are backtracking and acting like they’re good people now that the public opinion has shifted against Israel, do they think we’re stupid????”

    “I want ONE celebrity just one to be like “I fell for the propaganda and I’m sorry for being so dumb” like be HONEST about why you’re saying what you are now,” one user said.

    While on her video on Instagram, one user commented: “It was unacceptable 2 years ago as well, where where you sweetheart?” and another said: “Wow! Took her only 2 years and 680,000 killed Palestinians to finally speak up.”

    At the same press conference, Lawrence also spoke about attacks on free speech in the U.S., tying it to the role of cinema and artistic expression. “Our freedom of speech and expression is under attack… I wish there was something I could say, something I could do to fix this extremely complex and disgraceful situation,” she said.

    But for many online, that sentiment rang hollow. “Seems insincere and forced,” one user said.

    “Celebrities waiting until it’s safe to speak, then acting like they’re heartbroken heroes, is part of the problem,” another comment read.

    While some supporters defended Lawrence, noting that any voice added to the outcry helps amplify awareness. “Can we plz be grateful for anyone speaking up against what is going on right now?? Instead of having ego battles of who spoke first or last. This isn’t about us and none of us owns this story apart from the Palestinian people living it every single day. Any voice is welcome as the goal is to stop this atrocity not winning at being a better human being on social media.”

    Lawrence’s film Die, My Love screened at the festival, but the red carpet moment was largely overshadowed by the controversy sparked by her remarks.

  • Benedict Cumberbatch recites poem for Palestine at Wembley Arena

    Benedict Cumberbatch recites poem for Palestine at Wembley Arena

    A major benefit concert titled Together for Palestine was held on Wednesday night at Wembley Arena, bringing together an impressive lineup of 69 artists, speakers, and activists in a unified call to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The event served as both a cultural showcase and a powerful political statement against the Israeli military assault on the Palestinian people.

    Among the most prominent appearances was Benedict Cumberbatch, star of Marvel’s Doctor Strange, who emotionally recited a poem by the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. “This land, the lady of lands, the motherland of beginnings, the motherland of all ends. She was known as Palestine. She forever more will be known as Palestine. My land, my lady, you are a reason to live,” Cumberbatch read to a captivated audience, drawing widespread praise for his performance.

    The event featured a wide range of notable figures from music, film, television, sport, and activism. Musical performances came from high-profile acts such as Damon Albarn, Bastille, PinkPantheress, and Hot Chip, giving the event a festival-like atmosphere. Hollywood stars Florence Pugh, Guy Pearce, and comedian Ramy Youssef also took part, lending their voices and presence to the cause.

    The stage was also graced by influential personalities including former football legend Eric Cantona, Love Island host Laura Whitmore, and Amelia Dimoldenberg of Chicken Shop Date fame. The night was a mix of emotional tributes, passionate speeches, and artistic performances, all focused on raising awareness and support for the people of Gaza.

    Keeping in step with modern fundraising methods, the event did not rely on traditional donation buckets. Instead, Together for Palestine raised approximately £500,000 through ticket sales alone, with all tickets selling out within two hours. In addition, organizers solicited online donations and offered a wide range of merchandise designed by prominent fashion figures such as Ayham Hassan, Bella Freud, Katherine Hamnett, and Priya Ahluwalia. Items on sale ranged from T-shirts to keffiyehs, symbolizing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

    The concert took place as the Israeli genocide on Gaza nears its second year. According to international human rights organizations and media reports, Israel has dropped the equivalent of more than six atomic bombs on the densely populated Gaza Strip since the start of the campaign.

    Together for Palestine marked not just a cultural moment but a global rallying cry from artists and public figures demanding an end to the violence and justice for the Palestinian people.

  • Hollywood stars use Emmy stage to demand ‘Free Palestine’

    Hollywood stars use Emmy stage to demand ‘Free Palestine’

    The 77th Emmy Awards were not just a celebration of television’s finest, it became a powerful platform for emotional expression, as several stars used the global spotlight to call for a ceasefire and express solidarity with Palestine.

    Actress Hannah Einbinder, best known for her role in Hacks as Ava Daniels, closed her acceptance speech with a bold statement: “Go Birds, F*** ICE and Free Palestine,” while wearing an Artists4Ceasefire pin on her attire. The moment quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking much praise for the star.

    Speaking to Variety after the ceremony, Einbinder elaborated on her position, explaining her motivation to speak out as a Jewish individual. “As a Jew, I felt it was my responsibility to speak on this issue,” she said.

    She further revealed that several of her friends are currently working as frontline aid workers in Gaza. “Some of my friends are working as frontline workers in Gaza — like doctors helping pregnant women and children, and setting up schools in refugee camps,” she explained.

    Einbinder said the issue was one that resonates deeply with her personal beliefs. “This issue is very close to my heart, and as a Jew, it is my duty to clarify that our religion and culture are important and long-standing, and completely separate from this ethno-state.”

    She also addressed the ongoing Film Workers for Palestine boycott movement, making it clear that the campaign is not aimed at individuals. “This boycott is not against individuals but against the institutions that are directly involved in the atrocities against the Palestinian people,” she said.

    Elsewhere on the red carpet, Megan Stalter made her own powerful statement without saying a word. The Hacks star, who plays the role of Kayla Schaeffer, carried a striking black handbag boldly emblazoned with the word “CEASEFIRE”, complemented by a solidarity pin fastened to her trousers.

    Joining the others, acclaimed Spanish actor Javier Bardem walked the red carpet donning a keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian resistance and solidarity. On stage, he delivered a clear and forceful message: “Here I am today denouncing the genocide in Gaza… Free Palestine.”