Israeli blockade: Food running out, Gaza community kitchens warn - Newstrends
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Israeli blockade: Food running out, Gaza community kitchens warn

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Israeli blockade: Food running out, Gaza community kitchens warn

A hot meal is hard to come by in the Gaza Strip, but a lunch for needy families in the south is about to be delivered by donkey and cart.

Today’s dish is koshari – made with lentils, rice and a zesty tomato sauce – in a set of huge cooking pots in one of two community kitchens run by American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), a US-based humanitarian organisation.

“People rely on our meals; they have no source of income to buy what’s left in the local markets and many foods are not available,” says Sami Matar, who leads the Anera team.

“In the past we used to cook rice with meat – with protein. Now, because of the closure, there’s no type of meat, no fresh vegetables.”

Two months ago, Israel shut all crossings to Gaza – preventing all goods, including food, fuel and medicines from entering – and later resumed its military offensive, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. It said these steps were meant to put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages it still holds.

Recently, the UN’s World Food Programme and Unrwa, the agency for Palestinian refugees, said they had used up all their stocks of food aid.

Anera communal kitchen staff make up parcels of koshari to distribute to Palestinians in al-Mawasi, southern Gaza

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are relying on community kitchens for their survival

There is growing international pressure on Israel to lift its blockade, with warnings that mass starvation could be imminent and that intentionally starving civilians is a war crime.

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“Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip,” the UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, warned on Thursday.

“Blocking aid starves civilians. It leaves them without basic medical support. It strips them of dignity and hope. It inflicts a cruel collective punishment. Blocking aid kills.”

Hundreds of thousands of Gazans depend on a few dozen remaining kitchens for sustenance. The one run by Anera in Khan Younis feeds some 6,000 people a day.

But if Israel does not lift its blockade, by far the longest it has ever imposed on Gaza, the kitchens – a last lifeline for so many – will soon have nothing to distribute. Food stockpiled during the ceasefire at the start of this year, has all but run out.

“The coming days will be critical. We expect we have two weeks’ supply, maybe less,” Mr Matar says as he shows a local BBC journalist around the vast, empty Anera warehouse.

“We used to receive more than 100 trucks every week – trucks of food parcels and hygiene kits. Now we don’t have anything.

“We struggle to provide food such as rice, lentils, pasta, cooking oil and salt, for our community kitchens. It’s very expensive to buy 1kg of wood and we need over 700kg a day for cooking.”

Israel has accused Hamas of stealing and storing humanitarian aid to give to its fighters or sell to raise money. The UN and other agencies deny aid has been diverted and say that they have strict monitoring mechanisms.

“We work hard to avoid any interference from any parties. We have an accurate and strong distribution process,” says Mr Matar, inspecting lists of aid recipients on his computer.

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“We have a database of hundreds of thousands of people, including their names, ID numbers and addresses – the co-ordinates of the camps. This avoids duplication with the work of other non-governmental organisations and ensures transparency.”

A displaced woman waits for a food parcel from an Anera community kitchen in al-Mawasi, southern Gaza

A displaced mother said there was no cooking gas or food to make meals for her family

Back in the outdoor kitchen, Mr Matar tests the food from the steaming pots to check its quality. Parcels are wrapped up for distribution; each can serve up to four people.

All the workers receive food for their own hungry families.

The rest is soon transferred on the donkey cart through the bustling streets to al-Mawasi, a crowded tent camp for displaced people on the coast, where dozens of field monitors supervise the hand-out.

An elderly man walking with crutches looks relieved as he clutches two parcels of koshari to feed his family of seven. “Thank God, this will be enough,” he says.

“Don’t even ask me about the situation,” he goes on. “We’re only alive because death hasn’t taken us yet. I swear I was searching for a loaf of bread since the morning, and I found none.”

“The situation is tragic, and it keeps worsening,” comments a weary looking mother. “Life is humiliating here. We have men who are unable to work. There is no income, and all the products are so expensive. We’re unable to buy anything.”

“At this time, this is excellent,” she says of the warm meal she has just been given. “Because there is no cooking gas, no food. When we want to have a cup of tea, I collect leaves to start a fire.”

It has now been more than a year and a half since the war in Gaza began, triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel. That assault killed around 1,200 people and more than 250 people were taken hostage. Some 59 are still held captive, with up to 24 of those believed to be alive.

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Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 52,400 people in Gaza, mostly women, children and the elderly, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. More than 90% of the 2.1 million population has been displaced – with many forced to flee multiple times.

An elderly man holds two food parcels of food from an Anera community kitchen in the al-Mawasi area of southern Gaza

Each of the parcels of food can serve up to four people

The UN has warned that the current situation “is likely the worst it has been” due to the blockade, the renewed offensive and evacuation orders that have displaced some 500,000 people since 18 March.

There is growing international pressure on Israel to lift its blockade, with warnings that intentionally starving civilians is a potential war crime. The UN says that Israel has a clear obligation under international law as an occupying power to allow and facilitate aid for Gazans.

Last Friday, US President Donald Trump said he had told Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu that “we’ve got to be good to Gaza” and pushed him to allow more food and medicine into the strip.

There was no official response to that, but earlier in the week, the Israeli foreign ministry rejected criticism from the UK, France and Germany, which described the blockade as “intolerable” in a joint statement and insisting “this must end.”

The ministry said more than 25,000 lorries carrying almost 450,000 tonnes of goods had entered Gaza during the ceasefire. It added: “Israel is monitoring the situation on the ground, and there is no shortage of aid.”

Israeli officials have indicated they plan to overhaul the aid distribution system.

For now, supplies are piling up at Gaza’s border crossings waiting to be brought in, while inside the territory, aid workers carefully ration what is left of their stock.

In al-Mawasi camp, children gather playfully around Sami Matar and the Anera workers giving out the last of the day’s food parcels.

Many are painfully thin, with new warnings of acute malnutrition in Gaza – especially among the young.

“I don’t know what will happen if our supplies end,” says Mr Matar, weighed down by the responsibility of his work.

“The feeling of having to stop this vital help to people would be so stressful and depressing to me and my staff.”

“We have an urgent appeal,” he continues. “Look at us, see our desperation, understand that time is running out. Please we just need to open the crossings again.”

Israeli blockade: Food running out, Gaza community kitchens warn

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Three Killed In California Mosque Shooting As Teen Suspects Die By Suicide

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Three Killed In California Mosque Shooting As Teen Suspects Die By Suicide

Three Killed In California Mosque Shooting As Teen Suspects Die By Suicide

Three people were killed after two teenage gunmen stormed the Islamic Center of San Diego in California, United States, in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime targeting Muslims.

The deadly San Diego mosque shooting, which happened on Monday at the Clairemont-area mosque, also left the two suspects dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to police.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed that officers responding to reports of an active shooter found three adult male victims dead inside the mosque complex.

One of those killed was identified as a mosque security guard who officials said played a heroic role in preventing the attack from becoming even more devastating.

“One of the deceased is a security guard that works there and I think played a pivotal role in assisting from this being much worse,” Wahl said during a press briefing.

Authorities said the two suspects, aged 17 and 19, were later discovered dead inside a vehicle several blocks away from the mosque after allegedly taking their own lives.

Investigators revealed that one of the suspects had reportedly taken firearms from a parent’s home before carrying out the attack.

Police also disclosed that the teenager’s mother had earlier alerted authorities that her son was missing, suicidal and possibly armed, sparking concern before the shooting unfolded.

The investigation intensified after detectives reportedly recovered anti-Muslim writings and hate-related messages from weapons and materials linked to the suspects.

“We are considering this a hate crime until it’s not,” Police Chief Wahl stated.

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The Islamic Center of San Diego, regarded as the largest mosque in the city, also houses Islamic schools attended by Muslim children.

Witnesses described terrifying scenes as gunfire erupted during activities around midday prayers, forcing worshippers and students to seek cover while heavily armed police officers flooded the area.

A nine-year-old student who survived the attack told reporters he hid inside a closet with classmates as the shooting continued outside.

Police said officers arrived at the scene within four minutes of receiving the first emergency call at about 11:43 a.m. local time.

More than 50 officers later conducted an extensive search of the mosque and surrounding buildings as part of the emergency response.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that federal agents, evidence response teams and victim specialists had joined the investigation.

FBI Director Kash Patel said federal authorities would provide all necessary resources to support the probe into the deadly attack.

Imam and Director of the mosque, Taha Hassane, condemned the shooting and described the attack on a place of worship as heartbreaking.

“We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” Hassane said while thanking emergency responders and community leaders for their support.

Authorities confirmed that all children, teachers and staff members linked to the mosque’s schools were safely evacuated.

Following the shooting, police departments in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Washington increased security patrols around mosques and other places of worship.

United States President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom were also briefed on the incident.

Trump described the attack as “a terrible situation” and said federal authorities were closely monitoring developments.

Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the violence and warned about rising cases of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination across the United States.

Investigators said the motive behind the California mosque shooting remains under active investigation as authorities continue reviewing surveillance footage, weapons evidence and the suspects’ online activities.

 

Three Killed In California Mosque Shooting As Teen Suspects Die By Suicide

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Iran Demands Sanctions Relief In Response To US Peace Offer

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Iran Demands Sanctions Relief In Response To US Peace Offer

Iran Demands Sanctions Relief In Response To US Peace Offer

Iran has formally submitted its response to the latest United States proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, using Pakistan as a mediator, as tensions continue to rise over the future of the fragile ceasefire between both sides.

According to reports by Al Jazeera and Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on Monday that Tehran’s latest position had been delivered to Washington through Pakistani intermediaries.

“The points raised are Iranian demands that have been firmly defended by the Iranian negotiating team in every round of negotiations,” Baghaei said during a press briefing.

The diplomatic exchanges come amid growing uncertainty surrounding a ceasefire that largely halted six weeks of fighting involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Talks mediated by Pakistan have reportedly stalled in recent days, with US President Donald Trump warning that the truce was “on life support.”

Iran’s latest demands reportedly include the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad, the lifting of US sanctions, compensation for war-related damages, and the removal of what Tehran described as a blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran is also insisting on a complete halt to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israeli military operations and airstrikes have reportedly continued despite ceasefire arrangements.

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According to Iranian media outlet Fars News Agency, the latest US proposal presented a five-point framework that conditioned a permanent cessation of hostilities on Tehran entering formal peace negotiations with Washington.

The proposal reportedly included demands for Iran to maintain only one operational nuclear facility and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.

Washington has also reportedly pressed Iran to dismantle key elements of its nuclear programme and ease restrictions affecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic oil shipping routes.

Before the conflict escalated, the Strait of Hormuz reportedly handled nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

Iran, however, has maintained that it would continue to oversee activities around the waterway, which has remained partially disrupted since the beginning of the war.

Fars also claimed that the United States had refused to release “even 25 percent” of Iran’s frozen assets or agree to reparations for damages caused during the conflict.

Over the weekend, Trump intensified pressure on Tehran in a post shared on Truth Social.

“The Clock is Ticking,” Trump wrote, warning that Iran “better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to urge G7 finance ministers to align with US sanctions aimed at cutting off financing to what he described as Iran’s “war machine.”

US news outlet Axios also reported that Trump is expected to meet national security advisers on Tuesday to discuss possible options for renewed military action should negotiations collapse completely.

Analysts say concerns are growing that hostilities could resume within days if diplomacy fails.

Mohamad Elmasry, a professor of media studies at the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera that competing influences within the Trump administration and pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could push Washington back toward military confrontation.

Despite the mounting pressure, Iranian officials insist the country is prepared for any escalation.

“As for their threats, rest assured that we are fully aware of how to respond appropriately to even the smallest mistake from the opposing side,” Baghaei said during the televised briefing.

The developments have continued to trigger concerns across global energy markets and diplomatic circles, with fears that a collapse of negotiations could further destabilise the Middle East and disrupt international oil supplies.

Iran Demands Sanctions Relief In Response To US Peace Offer

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Man ‘Allowed’ Landlord to Rape His Wife, Daughter to Settle Unpaid Rent

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Man ‘Allowed’ Landlord to Rape His Wife, Daughter to Settle Unpaid Rent

Man ‘Allowed’ Landlord to Rape His Wife, Daughter to Settle Unpaid Rent

MORBI, India – In a shocking case of exploitation and betrayal, a labourer and his landlord have been arrested in Gujarat’s Morbi district after police uncovered a horrific arrangement where the husband allegedly allowed the landlord to repeatedly rape his wife and 13-year-old daughter in exchange for waiving off pending house rent of just ₹2,000 per month.

The case has sparked outrage across the country, highlighting how extreme financial distress can lead to unimaginable human rights violations. Police have registered charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

How the Exploitation Began

According to the First Information Report (FIR) and police statements, the family—originally from Surendranagar—had moved to Morbi six months ago in search of work. They rented a house for ₹2,000 per month. However, as the husband’s financial condition worsened and his small business failed, they fell behind on rent for three to four months.

Police Inspector Y.B. Jadeja of Morbi ‘A’ Division stated that the landlord, aged 55, took advantage of the family’s desperation. Instead of pursuing legal recourse for the unpaid rent, he allegedly proposed a criminal “oral agreement” : sexual favours from the labourer’s wife in exchange for clearing the rent debt.

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Father’s Alleged Consent Led to Repeated Assaults

Shockingly, police investigations revealed that the husband consented to the arrangement. Following this, the landlord allegedly raped the woman multiple times—at their rented home, at the landlord’s residence, and at another property in Tankara.

The situation escalated when the landlord’s demands turned to the couple’s minor daughter, aged 13. According to police, the father again gave his consent, leading to the serial sexual abuse of the child by the landlord and another individual.

How the Case Came to Light

The cycle of abuse might have continued indefinitely had it not been for police intelligence. Officers received confidential information about the exploitation and began discreet inquiries. When they confronted the family, the husband allegedly tried to send his daughter away to relatives to evade investigation.

Police traced the maternal grandmother of the minor victim (the wife’s mother), who was unaware of the atrocities. Disturbed by the revelations, she filed a formal complaint on April 24 (or May 1 per some sources), triggering the formal legal process.

Arrests and Legal Action

Following the complaint, Morbi Police swiftly arrested:

  • The landlord (55) – Charged with rape under BNS and POCSO Act.

  • The labourer (husband/father) – Charged with abetment of rape for consenting to the crimes against his own wife and child.

third accused—a relative or aide of the landlord—is currently absconding and is accused of raping the wife. Police have formed special teams to track him down.

The landlord was initially remanded to one day of police custody before being sent to judicial custody. The father has been sent to jail. The case has been registered under stringent sections of the BNS and the POCSO Act.

Official Statements

Deputy Superintendent of Police J.M. Lal confirmed the arrests and stated that investigations are ongoing. “We have recorded the statements of the victims and collected forensic evidence. The third accused will be arrested soon,” he said.

No comment has yet been issued by the landlord or the labourer’s legal representatives.

A Grim Reminder of Vulnerability

This case has reignited debates about tenant rightseconomic coercion as a tool for sexual exploitation, and the failure of social safety nets. Child rights activists have demanded the strictest punishment under the POCSO Act, including the possibility of the death penalty for the landlord and the father as an abettor.

 

Man ‘Allowed’ Landlord to Rape His Wife, Daughter to Settle Unpaid Rent

 

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