Other news today
People turn to ‘dirty sea water’ due to lack of clean water in Gaza: UN
The UN is warning that displaced families are being forced to use “dirty sea water” for their daily needs due to a lack of clean water access as Israeli forces destroy essential infrastructure and keep Gaza’s borders closed to vital humanitarian relief.
The UNRWA agency for Palestinian refugees, said access to clean water is critical for the health and “survival of hundreds of thousands across the Gaza Strip”. “Increasing heat & lack of hygiene are making an already dire situation far worse,” the UNRWA said on social media, alongside video of children collecting water from the sea on Gaza’s coastline.
Many displaced families in #Gaza are forced to rely on dirty sea water for their daily needs.
Access to clean water is critical for the health & survival of hundreds of thousands across #GazaStrip. Increasing heat & lack of hygiene are making an already dire situation far worse. pic.twitter.com/BXE1avMO0j
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) June 8, 2024
Foreign journalists must get access to Gaza, says UNRWA chief
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said international reporters must be given access to the Gaza Strip “to support the heroic work” of Palestinian journalists.
Foreign journalists need access to the war-torn Palestinian territory “so that independent, factual and courageous reporting continues”, Lazzarini said.
The UNRWA chief made the call in a post on social media in which he said it was time for “independent investigations + accountability” in Gaza as “no one is being held accountable”. And “UN premises damaged, destroyed, targeted or used for military purposes almost on a daily basis” and “humanitarian convoys attacked, looted or denied access”, he added.
As disinformation against UNRWA also continues to “rage”, it “puts the lives of my colleagues in Gaza and elsewhere at risk”, Lazzarini added.
#Gaza
- United Nations staff killed at unprecedented levels.
- UN premises damaged, destroyed, targeted or used for military purposes almost on a daily basis.
- Humanitarian convoys attacked, looted or denied access.
No one is being held accountable.
It is time for… pic.twitter.com/Mglr2AwIgu
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) June 7, 2024
Muslim-majority allies urge world to up pressure on Israel
An alliance of mostly Muslim-majority countries including Turkey, Egypt and Iran have demanded full Palestinian membership of the United Nations and greater international pressure on Israel amid its war on Gaza.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which also includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan, called for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Foreign ministers from the group meeting in Istanbul called on the United States to lift its veto on full Palestinian UN membership and on all countries to “exert diplomatic, political, economic and legal pressure” on Israel.
They also urged states to ensure Israel complies with the International Court of Justice’s decisions, withdraws from the southern Rafah governorate and guarantees the safe entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Denouncing an “ongoing genocide and grave violations of international law”, the group called on states to contribute to and join legal proceedings against Israel at international courts.
The eight countries also demanded an end to arms and ammunition deliveries to Israel and that all measures be taken to protect Palestinian civilians, rejecting any attempted forced displacement.
Colombia will suspend coal sales to Israel over Gaza war: President
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced that his government will suspend coal exports to Israel while it continues its war in the Gaza Strip.
“We are going to suspend coal exports to Israel until the genocide stops,” he wrote on X.
In May, Petro, who describes Israel’s war in Gaza as “genocidal”, announced Colombia would sever ties with Israel over the conflict.
