US Military Carries Out New Airdrop of Aid into Gaza

Packages fall towards northern Gaza, after being dropped from a military aircraft, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel March 7, 2024. (Reuters)

16:41-7 March 2024 AD ـ 27 Sha’ban 1445 AH

US Military Carries Out New Airdrop of Aid into Gaza

The US military carried out its third airdrop of aid into Gaza on Thursday, dropping more than 38,000 meals amid an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the crowded coastal enclave.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza, which is supported by the United States, has displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million people and led to critical shortages of food, water and medicine.

In a statement, the US military said the aid was dropped by US and Jordanian C-130 aircraft in northern Gaza.

Aid dropped by air is an expensive and insufficient alternative to aid that is trucked in, given the scale of the humanitarian crisis, US officials say.

President Joe Biden's administration is pressing for greater access by land and also exploring a maritime option.

UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

New York: Asharq Al Awsat

05:47-18 December 2024 AD ـ 17 Jumada Al-Alkhirah 1446 AH

New York: Asharq Al Awsat

05:47-18 December 2024 AD ـ 17 Jumada Al-Alkhirah 1446 AH

UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The UN Security Council has issued its first statement on Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government, calling for a Syrian-led political process leading to elections, and urging all nations to respect the country’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

The council said Syrians should “peacefully, independently and democratically determine their own futures” based on key principles in a 2015 council resolution that sets out a roadmap to peace calling for a new constitution and UN-monitored elections. It said the process should be facilitated by the United Nations and backed efforts being taken by UN envoy Geir Pedersen.

The statement released Tuesday night makes no mention of the Dec. 8 ouster of Assad by opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The Security Council reiterated support for the UN peacekeeping force known as UNDOF monitoring the Israel-Syria border following the 1973 Mideast war. It stressed the obligation of all parties to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement that established a demilitarized buffer zone between the countries to abide by its terms and reduce tensions.

The council statement, approved by all 15 members, underscored the importance of combatting terrorism in Syria and preventing ISIS from re-establishing its stronghold in the country.

The Security Council also reiterated Syria’s obligation to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. This includes the right to seek justice and allow and facilitate humanitarian access to millions in need, the statement said.

US Military Carries Out New Airdrop of Aid into Gaza

US Military Carries Out New Airdrop of Aid into Gaza

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UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

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