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Paris Int’l Conference Focuses on Humanitarian Aid for Gaza, Discusses War's Political Aspects

International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday (AP)
International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday (AP)
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Paris Int’l Conference Focuses on Humanitarian Aid for Gaza, Discusses War's Political Aspects

International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday (AP)
International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday (AP)

France hosted a conference Thursday on humanitarian aid for Gaza, calling for a "humanitarian pause" in the Israel-Hamas war so countries can "work towards a ceasefire."

French President Emmanuel Macron chaired the only session of the "International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza."

France divided the session into two parts: one open to the public and the media, while the second was closed and limited to the participating official eighty delegations, including representatives of international organizations and civil society organizations.

The conference did not include strong representation, while the Elysee Palace was counting on a summit that brought together several heads of state and government.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Shtayyeh was the only Arab top official at the summit, along with the Presidents of Ireland and Cyprus and the prime ministers of Greece and Luxembourg.

Paris did not extend invitations to Israel, Iran, and Russia. However, no official representatives from Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan attended the summit for various reasons, including wars or economic hardship.

- Four themes

During the conference, four main themes dominated the speeches of state and international organizations representatives.

The first theme focused on the insufficient aid delivered to Gaza, mainly through the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt, noting that two other crossings must be considered, such as the Kerem Shalom crossing and another based on a Cypriot proposal.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides detailed his 25-page plan to open a direct path by sea to provide a continued rapid, safe, and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid pragmatically and effectively.

According to Christodoulides, the proposal is carefully studied and can be implemented, provided that there is political cover, primarily meaning Israel and the Palestinians accept the establishment of the necessary infrastructure for the humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza.

The Cypriot President noted that "humanitarian" ships, which can be escorted by military personnel to reach their destination, can transport thousands of tons, unlike land transport.

- Obstacles to Rafah port

The Greek Prime Minister praised the Cypriot project and suggested providing Greek naval ships for this purpose.

However, given the obstacles that Israel imposes regarding the Rafah port to slow down the movement of trucks toward Gaza, the Cypriot proposal could require intense political and diplomatic pressure until it sees the light.

Furthermore, the conference witnessed several proposals to establish field hospitals, remove the wounded from Gaza, and provide financial aid to UNRWA and humanitarian organizations.

The second theme emerged unanimously and strongly through speeches and discussions, asserting the need for humanitarian truces and ceasefires. It aimed to facilitate the arrival and distribution of humanitarian aid and end the Israeli massacres in the enclave.

Opinions varied between parties calling for temporary humanitarian truces and others insisting on a complete ceasefire. Still, the general atmosphere that dominated the conference demonstrated the need to take action.

During his speech, Shtayyeh wondered how many Palestinians must be killed for the war to stop.

"Is killing 10,000 people in 30 days enough?"

Shtayyeh gave a quick presentation of the 75 years of Palestinian suffering in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank.

Shtayyeh said that it was the sixth and not the first war carried out by Israel against Gaza, concluding that it was a war against the Palestinian people.

- The two-state solution

The third theme of the Paris Conference reiterated the necessity of reactivating the political track and the two-state solution.

Macron referred to the humanitarian and security axes in his opening speech, including fighting Hamas and restricting funding sources. He also addressed the political path of diplomatic work, asserting the need to resume bringing peace to the Middle East with a two-state solution.

"We must learn from our errors and no longer accept that peace in the Middle East always be pushed back to later," he said.

As the fighting continues, the humanitarian situation "is worsening more and more each day," Macron said.

The last theme of the conference warned that the situation could be out of control with the ongoing fighting, escalation, bombing, and casualties, adding that it could expand to other fronts and perhaps lead to a regional war.

The conference also included influential speeches from the United Nations, UNRWA, and the International Committee of Red Cross Committee (ICRC).

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic," refusing to consider civilian casualties, especially children, as "collateral damage."

In his speech, Lazzarini referred to the destruction of entire neighborhoods, including schools, mosques, hospitals, and churches.

He condemned depriving civilians of food, water, and medicine, saying it was collective punishment.

The UN official called for an immediate ceasefire, asserting the need to protect civilian infrastructure necessary for life and an acceleration of the flow of humanitarian aid.

Lazzarini also addressed the situation in the West Bank, warning that military incursions by the Israeli Forces and settler violence have caused "record high death tolls among Palestinians.

If we did not have Gaza today, all our attention would be on the West Bank."

- Immediate ceasefire

Also at the conference, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said the "so-called safe zones" are nonsense, pointing to serious concerns about the safety of the civilians.

Griffiths warned that "unless multilateral and diplomatic efforts can be maximized to ensure the protection of civilians, enhance humanitarian access and secure the release of the hostages so viciously taken on October 7th, I have real fears that this could just be the beginning."

For her part, President of the French section of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Isabelle Dufourny said there were no safe zones in Gaza, and a third of the Gazan victims were killed in those areas.

Dufourny informed the conference that 700 humanitarian organizations and associations demanded an immediate ceasefire.

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric denounced Israel's targeting of all buildings in northern Gaza as military targets, adding: "We are confronted with a catastrophic moral failing, one that the world must not tolerate."

Egypt denounced the international silence regarding Israeli violations of international humanitarian law in the Palestinian territories.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said the Israeli government is going beyond the "right to self-defense," expressing his regret at the "double standards."

Shoukry believed that the aid that entered the Strip did not meet the needs, criticizing Israel and the "complex procedures" it imposes on the entry of aid into the enclave.

- Respect international humanitarian law

The attendees condemned Israel's war on Gazans and demanded respect for international humanitarian law. They also blamed Hamas "terrorist act" calling for the "immediate and unconditional release" of all captives with the organization.

The conference sought to mobilize financial resources, identifying several sectors to receive emergency support based on United Nations assessments of urgent needs amounting to $1.1 billion.

They also discussed restoring water, fuel, and electricity supplies and establishing accountability to ensure that aid is not diverted to Hamas.

Macron revealed that France will increase aid to the Palestinians from €20 million to €100 million in 2023.

The European Commission also reported that the European Union decided to quadruple the planned aid to Gaza to reach €100 million, in addition to the air bridge to transport aid through al-Arish Airport.

 

 

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Arab World

Contaminated Gasoline Sparks Fears Over Diesel Quality in Syria

A gas station in Damascus displays fuel prices following the latest increase, which sparked protests in several Syrian cities (Reuters). 
A gas station in Damascus displays fuel prices following the latest increase, which sparked protests in several Syrian cities (Reuters). 
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Contaminated Gasoline Sparks Fears Over Diesel Quality in Syria

A gas station in Damascus displays fuel prices following the latest increase, which sparked protests in several Syrian cities (Reuters). 
A gas station in Damascus displays fuel prices following the latest increase, which sparked protests in several Syrian cities (Reuters). 

A video of a young girl collecting animal dung for heating in northeastern Syria has revived memories of bitter winters during the war, as rising fuel prices, a weakening currency and a scandal involving contaminated gasoline fuel concerns over a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

The widely circulated footage shows the girl gathering dung from farmland in rural Hasakah to make "jalla", a traditional fuel used for heating. With winter approaching, she explains that diesel is too expensive to obtain.

The images brought back painful memories for Fatima Hamid, 49, who fled Deir Ezzor for Sahnaya, near Damascus, where she spent several years living with her three children in a cold, dark basement.

For Hamid, the recent increase in diesel prices and plans to introduce a cheaper, lower-quality heating fuel have revived fears of the hardships she endured.

“Under Assad, they used to sell us tiny quantities of black diesel, thick as mud, for our heaters. Its smell would suffocate us,” she recalled.

“Today, we fear the cheaper diesel they’re talking about will be like the red gasoline that damaged cars.”

Fuel prices rise as pound weakens

Syria’s Energy Ministry raised diesel and other petroleum product prices by 40% in September, increasing the price of diesel from 125 to 175 Syrian pounds per liter.

Authorities subsequently introduced a lower-quality, subsidized diesel for heating and agricultural use at 115 pounds per liter.

The Syrian pound weakened against the dollar on Tuesday, with the exchange rate exceeding 141 pounds to the dollar after several months of stability at around 130.

Economists linked the depreciation to inflationary pressures resulting from higher fuel prices.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Petroleum Company recently refused to unload two diesel tankers because their cargoes failed to meet required specifications.

Oday al-Sattouf, the company’s media department director, announced that a tanker carrying 16,000 tons of diesel had begun docking and unloading at storage facilities in the port of Baniyas, while a second vessel was awaiting its turn.

The shipments are intended to meet growing demand ahead of winter.

Speaking to the official SANA news agency, al-Sattouf outlined measures to address shortages, including coordinating with the Homs refinery to increase production and supply diesel to all provinces at 150 pounds per liter.

Additional quantities priced at 115 pounds per liter would be produced at Hasakah refineries, while remaining stocks at the Tishreen and Baniyas storage facilities would also be used.

He expected supplies to stabilize as deliveries became regular and the Baniyas refinery resumed operations.

Contaminated gasoline sparks anger

The controversy over contaminated gasoline distributed in Syrian markets has continued since the beginning of October.

It followed fuel shortages and widespread confusion after authorities raised the price of 90-octane gasoline to 185 pounds per liter and 95-octane gasoline to 195 pounds.

An employee at a Damascus filling station told Asharq Al-Awsat that the adulterated fuel had been withdrawn from all government-run Sadcop stations.

Supplies of gasoline meeting the required specifications began reaching those outlets early Tuesday, following quality checks at both the source and delivery points in Damascus.

The additional inspections delayed deliveries to filling stations in several provinces, the employee explained.

He denied that there was a gasoline shortage and advised motorists to use government stations until the remaining contaminated fuel had been removed from private-sector outlets.

Khaled Jamal al-Khalaf, a member of the Syrian People’s Assembly’s fuel committee, has called for the dismissal and prosecution of Syrian Petroleum Company director Youssef Qablawi.

Speaking on Syria’s state news channel on Sunday, al-Khalaf held Qablawi fully responsible for what he described as the “contaminated gasoline disaster,” citing extensive damage to motorists’ vehicles.

At a car repair workshop in Damascus, Fadi al-Akram was trying to drain the contaminated gasoline from his vehicle and assess the damage to its fuel pump.

He estimated his initial loss at two million Syrian pounds for the gasoline alone, while repairs could cost another five million.

Al-Akram questioned who would compensate him for the damage.

Investigation results pending

Authorities have yet to announce the findings of an investigation into the contaminated gasoline.

The Syrian Company for the Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Products, Sadcop, previously announced an inquiry into the source of the substandard fuel and how it had reached filling stations.

In a statement issued amid mounting complaints, the company reported that tests on samples collected at different stages of the supply chain showed compliance with approved specifications.

It nevertheless acknowledged that cases of fuel failing to meet quality standards had been detected in the domestic market.

 

 

 

 

Arab World

Hezbollah Aid to Displaced Families Raises Questions Over Funding Sources

A woman and her daughter, displaced from their home in the South Lebanon village of Aita al-Shaab in 2023, live in a rented apartment in the southern town of Maarakeh (EPA). 
A woman and her daughter, displaced from their home in the South Lebanon village of Aita al-Shaab in 2023, live in a rented apartment in the southern town of Maarakeh (EPA). 
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Hezbollah Aid to Displaced Families Raises Questions Over Funding Sources

A woman and her daughter, displaced from their home in the South Lebanon village of Aita al-Shaab in 2023, live in a rented apartment in the southern town of Maarakeh (EPA). 
A woman and her daughter, displaced from their home in the South Lebanon village of Aita al-Shaab in 2023, live in a rented apartment in the southern town of Maarakeh (EPA). 

Hezbollah’s announcement of financial assistance for displaced Lebanese families and those affected by the fighting with Israel has raised questions about where the money comes from and how it is transferred and distributed, amid US sanctions on Iran and tighter Lebanese oversight of funding channels.

The announcement also comes as Lebanese authorities move to place all weapons under the control of legitimate state forces.

Meanwhile, President Joseph Aoun received a telephone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments. According to the Lebanese presidency, the two agreed on the need to support diplomatic solutions as the best way to end conflicts in the region.

Hezbollah’s funding sources

Hezbollah has traditionally relied on direct Iranian support, donations from sympathizers abroad and commercial activities, as well as illicit sources that US authorities accuse the group of exploiting.

Lebanese authorities, meanwhile, are seeking to strengthen financial regulations and oversight, particularly through proposed amendments to Law No. 44 on combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

The changes aim to identify the beneficial owners of companies and commercial ventures, trace the origins and destinations of funds, and tighten supervision of currency exchange dealers and money transfer companies.

US questions reported Iranian funding

A US State Department spokesperson has questioned, for a second time, reports of money reaching Hezbollah from Iran.

“The money supposedly arriving from Iran simply does not exist,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The official accused Hezbollah of relying on criminal activities, including drug trafficking and partnerships with Latin American drug cartels, to compensate for funds it was not receiving from Tehran.

No detailed public evidence was provided to substantiate the allegations.

The spokesperson described Hezbollah’s aid announcement as an attempt to salvage its reputation rather than help those it had drawn into war. The official also accused the group of dragging Lebanon into war in a “suicidal” manner, arguing that even if Hezbollah had the money, it would use it to purchase weapons to threaten Israel and intimidate its opponents.

Hezbollah’s weapons, the spokesperson added, had brought Lebanon nothing but misery and destruction.

The official said Washington was working with Gulf and European partners on a plan to make billions of dollars available for Lebanon’s reconstruction, without specifying a final amount or implementation timetable.

Disarming Hezbollah was an essential part of efforts to restore stability and prevent renewed conflict, he stressed.

On Tuesday, Hezbollah announced a financial assistance program for displaced families whose homes had been destroyed or damaged and who had no alternative accommodation.

The program covers rent and furniture expenses of up to $14,000, payable over one year.

The announcement came days after Reuters reported that Hezbollah had received $200 million from Iran to assist displaced Lebanese families, a claim also questioned by Washington.

Questions over alternative funding channels

Sami Nader, director of the Middle East Institute for Strategic Affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat that US skepticism suggested Washington was closely monitoring Hezbollah’s potential funding sources.

However, he did not rule out the possibility that Iran and Hezbollah had recently developed new methods of transferring money, including cryptocurrencies or gold.

Nader said US trade monitoring and tighter financial restrictions posed challenges to such channels, potentially explaining the latest round of sanctions. He stressed the need for Lebanon to enforce its financial laws across all sectors.

“The Lebanese state must enforce the laws as it did with Al-Qard Al-Hassan, and oversight must cover all areas,” he said.

Nader called for scrutiny of cryptocurrency exchange offices to determine whether they complied with Lebanese regulations, adding that new legislation might be needed to address emerging financial mechanisms.

Concerns over Lebanon’s financial standing

Lebanese Forces lawmaker Razi al-Hajj accused Hezbollah of trying to project the same strength it possessed before the two wars, while disregarding the deaths, injuries and economic collapse that followed.

He also accused the group of attempting to shift responsibility onto the government, which he said had already shouldered more than it could manage. While affirming that those affected by the fighting were entitled to assistance, al-Hajj said the central issue was enforcing laws against money laundering and terrorist financing.

He warned that failures in this area could damage Lebanon’s financial standing and international relations.

The deputy argued that Hezbollah’s funding, which he characterized as generally originating from illicit sources, posed a threat to state stability and ties with the international community.

He also warned that Lebanon could move from the Financial Action Task Force’s gray list to its blacklist.

Transparency must apply to everyone

Lawmaker Fouad Makhzoumi said demands for transparency and verification of funding sources, transfer methods and distribution mechanisms should apply to everyone without exception.

Writing on X, he warned of the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, particularly given Lebanon’s inclusion on the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Makhzoumi also urged the government to assume responsibility for providing shelter and assistance to displaced families, stressing that no Lebanese citizen should be left to face hardship alone.

 

 

Arab World

Sudan's Famine Risk Worsened by Conflict, Drought and Funding Shortages

A Sudanese farmer plants seeds in an agricultural field in Gedaref State, eastern Sudan, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A Sudanese farmer plants seeds in an agricultural field in Gedaref State, eastern Sudan, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Sudan's Famine Risk Worsened by Conflict, Drought and Funding Shortages

A Sudanese farmer plants seeds in an agricultural field in Gedaref State, eastern Sudan, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A Sudanese farmer plants seeds in an agricultural field in Gedaref State, eastern Sudan, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Conflict and drought are worsening food insecurity across parts of Sudan’s Darfur and Kordofan regions, a global food crisis monitor warned on Monday.

There is a “deteriorating humanitarian situation” across greater Darfur and Kordofan, including areas identified as at risk of famine, as well as other locations, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC.

Severe drought linked to El Niño is affecting more than half of Sudan, causing localized crop failures and depriving households of food and income, it said.

In May, nearly 19.5 million people — more than 40% of the population — were facing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to an IPC assessment. Of those, 135,000 were in Phase 5, the most severe classification, characterized by extreme food shortages, starvation, very high levels of malnutrition and deaths from disease or acute malnutrition.

Sudan’s war erupted in April 2023 when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, escalated into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, before spreading across the country. The conflict has killed at least 150,000 people, according to conflict monitor ACLED, though aid groups say the true toll is likely higher.

The war has also displaced about 13 million people and pushed parts of the country into famine.

Farmers’ livelihoods have been affected, and they're now relying more on assistance, the IPC said. Without a quick and significant increase in assistance to Sudan, “food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and excess mortality will likely intensify," the group said.

Poor levels of growth have affected 64% of croplands in North Darfur and about half in South Darfur, West Kordofan and South Kordofan.

The IPC reported worsening acute malnutrition in additional areas, including Nyala, where children accessing nutrition services who were admitted for severe acute malnutrition doubled from approximately 5% to 11% between January and August. Two displacement camps in South Darfur also recorded global acute malnutrition above famine thresholds.

In North Darfur, delayed rains that impacted crop cultivation and “critically low” food stocks have worsened food insecurity. Meanwhile, Western Kordofan is experiencing one of its worst droughts since 2004, the IPC said, citing rainfall levels.

Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly said that ending the conflict and ensuring safe, sustained humanitarian access are essential to improving conditions across Sudan. But repeated efforts to achieve peace have yet to bring the war to an end.

In the latest bout of violence, an airstrike killed at least 72 civilian miners in a border area between Sudan and Egypt where artisanal and small gold mining is widespread, local rights group Emergency Lawyers said Sunday.

The group, which tracks violence across Sudan, said without providing evidence that Egyptian warplanes targeted the miners in Sudan’s North Wadi area.

The Egyptian Armed Forces released a statement late Monday saying that they had launched the latest wave of a "large-scale campaign to confront illegal mining in the Eastern Desert” by dropping “warning leaflets” on citizens. They did not provide any further details or explanation.

In June, Egyptian security forces detained hundreds of people, including foreigners, on the border with Sudan, accusing them of illegal gold mining and smuggling.

Separately, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry also announced the death of two Egyptian truck drivers in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum after a gunman opened fire. The statement said the shooter has been apprehended by the authorities.