The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees has reported that aid planned for a Palestinian refugee camp was seized by Hamas police earlier today. According to a UNRWA statement, the aid was forcibly confiscated from a warehouse by police when UNRWA workers refused to turn over the goods to a Hamas ministry. Hamas Welfare Minister in Gaza, Ahmed al-Kurd, insisted no police or members of the welfare ministry entered any UNRWA premises, but later admitted to seizing the aid. A UNRWA spokesman said over 400 food packages and about 3,500 blankets were seized by Hamas. The agency is demanding Hamas immediately return the aid.
The toD verdict: The welfare minister for Hamas has said the UN lack "neutrality and transparency" and claimed the agency had supplied aid to NGOs with political motivations, referring to aid given by UNRWA to members of the Fatah-backed Palestinian Authority in light of Israeli blockades. Hamas has said it wishes to distribute the aid itself without third party intervention. However, in the aftermath of Israel's 22-day long offensive on Gaza, many Gazans are relying directly on UN aid. PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has called for unity with Hamas, saying Israel has "capitalised" on the Fatah-Hamas division. Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.
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This comes after Palestinian Justice Minister Ali Khashan formally recognized the ICC's jurisdiction. The Palestinian Authority hoped the move would allow investigations into Israel's war crimes in light of perceived abuses of human rights such as the use of white phosphorus in areas populated by civilians. It is not yet known whether the move will be deemed legally viable as the ICC is only open to "states" as designated by international law. The case for Palestinian jurisdiction over Israeli war crimes in Gaza is currently being examined by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. Palestinian Authority president and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas told the European Parliament in Strasburg today that "reconstruction of Gaza" as well as "reconstruction of the peace process" is needed.
Cluster bomb attack on Sri Lankan hospital kills civilians
Over 52 civilians were killed and many more wounded in violence between Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan army yesterday, some casualties were inside a designated "safe zone". A cluster bomb and shell attacks hit a hospital, killing a dozen patients. It is thought that the hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu was the last remaining functioning hospital in the region. There have been reports indicating that air strikes were used on the hospital, Neither side have admitted to the attacks, but there has been speculation that only the Sri Lankan army has the capacity to carry out air strikes. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the internal fighting, which has intensified in recent weeks in what has been called a war of attrition. It is estimated that 70,000 have died in the conflict since fighting began between Sinhalese and Tamil groups in 1983. In a celebration of the country's independence on the same day, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed the army had "nearly destroy[ed] terror".
Jacqui Smith faces inquiry into MI5 torture allegations
British home secretary Jacqui Smith faces tough questions following allegations that British security services were involved in the unlawful torture of terror suspects arrested in Pakistan in 2003-2007. In a hearing yesterday it emerged that British security services put pressure on Pakistani officials to extract information from suspects, in the full awareness that torture was being used. Suspects claim they were tortured by the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI before being handed over to MI5 for further questioning. According to reports torture techniques included beatings, whipping, electric shocks, sleep deprivation and fingernail extraction.
North Korea prepares to test-fire missile
North Korea is suspected to be making preparations to test a long range missile. The missile is capable of hitting targets 4,000 miles away. A South Korean news agency reported sighting the missile which was picked up by spy satellites whilst being transported on a train. Reports cannot be substantiated due to intense restrictions and controls on information in the country, but South Korean sources say it is unlikely that the missile will be tested immediately.
Taliban militia kidnaps Pakistani police and soldiers
Taliban militia today kidnapped 30 Pakistani policemen and troops after a day long siege in the Swat Valley in northwest Pakistan where militants attacked the Shamzoi village police station. Troops in the area have been attempting to counter the spread of Taliban influence. Unrest continues and fighting intensifies following a visit from army commander General Ashfaq Kayani who has pledged to reinstate government control over the Swat Valley and border regions. Many civilians have fled the region due to increased violence, and it is reported that around 40 civilians have been killed in government attacks aimed at militants in the region over the past few days.
Kyrgyzstan announces closure of US airbase
Kyrgyzstan today announced it is to shut down its Manas airbase near its capital Bishek. The airbase has been a key staging post for US troops fighting in the war in Afghanistan due to its proximity to the Afghan border. The move follows ongoing pressure from Russia to expel US troops due to fears of American encroachment in an area the Kremlin sees as strategically important. Kyrgystan said earlier today that it did not intend the move to endanger its relationship with the Obama administration, and that the intention rather was to create a "dialogue".
