International
The Security Council approves a US resolution in support of the proposed truce in Gaza
The UN Security Council approved a resolution presented by the United States in support of the truce proposal announced by President Joe Biden on May 31, which establishes a three-phase plan to end the war in Gaza.
The resolution, approved by 14 votes in favor with Russia’s only abstention, is already the fourth approved in the Security Council regarding the war in Gaza, although the previous three have been left on paper when Israel refused to stop the offensive in Palestinian territory, a conflict that has already claimed more than 37,000 deaths.
The document “sends a clear message to Hamas: to accept the ceasefire on the table. Israel has already given its approval to the agreement, and the fighting could stop today if Hamas does the same,” said the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, although the Jewish State Government has so far been ambiguous about the terms of that plan.
The resolution, which obtains unprecedented and almost unanimous support, calls for the approval of that truce proposal that calls for “an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages” in the hands of Hamas.
The US resolution had already been among the members for a week, and although at first it contained requests only for Hamas, the final version “urges the two parties to implement the terms (of the proposal) without delay or conditions.”
In addition, the text has an unequivocal “refaction of any attempt at territorial or demographic modification in Gaza, including any action to reduce the territory,” a message addressed to the “hard wing” of the Israeli government and that can thus reap support among Arab countries.
In his last paragraph, he reiterates “the importance of unifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority” (PA), which means leaving out Hamas, one of the most controversial points given the lack of acceptance of the PA among Palestinians in Gaza.
“Now we are all waiting, waiting for Hamas to agree to the ceasefire it proclaims to want, but we cannot afford to wait and wait,” Thomas-Greenfield stressed.
And thus summarized the peace plan – which Biden presented at the first time as an Israeli, although it seems more a product of the will of the United States -: “This agreement will bring hostages home, guarantees the security of Israel, allows to increase humanitarian aid and essential services such as electricity, medical services and the removal of debris, in addition to preparing the stage for a political settlement,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
Previously, there have already been three resolutions on the war in Gaza; in November, December and March – which called for the cessation of hostilities or the entry of humanitarian aid – but none has been implemented on the ground, despite its theoretically binding nature.
Israel said in the UN Security Council that it does not intend to “commit to endless and meaningless negotiations” for a ceasefire in Gaza, minutes after the Council approved a resolution presented by the United States to support a truce plan in Gaza.
The political coordinator of the Israeli diplomatic mission, Reut Shapir, who took the floor after the intervention of the fifteen members of the Council, did not make it clear whether her country supports the resolution, as the US ambassador to the UN had previously assured, but implied otherwise.
“Israel clings to its principles, and these have not changed. We will continue (fighting) until all the hostages return and dismantle all the combat and government capabilities of Hamas,” Shapir said, without expressly mentioning that resolution, which calls in a first phase for a ceasefire and the release of certain hostages (women, elderly and wounded).
“This means that Israel is not going to engage in endless and meaningless negotiations, which can be exploited by Hamas as a means of buying time,” Shapir said.
For their part, the Arab countries welcomed the resolution, and considered that it will contribute to curbing the crisis in the Strip.
Egypt asked “both Israel and Hamas to take serious measures to respond to this (proposal of agreement) as soon as possible and start implementing its terms without delay or conditions.”
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement that the resolution “supports (the proposal for) a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the return of the displaced Palestinians” to their homes.
It also “guarantees full access to humanitarian aid that meets the needs of the inhabitants of the Strip,” he added.
In similar terms, the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem al Bedewi, expressed himself, who considered that the resolution “will contribute to stopping the crisis in Gaza and achieving security and stability in the region and in the world.”
International
Looting Spreads in Venezuela’s Hardest-Hit Areas After Deadly Earthquakes
Not even the wires were left behind at a small grocery store. Before the ground had even stopped shaking, looting and theft began in the areas hardest hit by the double earthquake that struck Venezuela.
Reports of robberies have multiplied in the coastal state of La Guaira, located near Caracas and now transformed into a landscape of collapsed buildings and debris.
Videos circulating on social media show groups of people removing boxes of household appliances from a damaged store. Other images show similar boxes being carried on top of vehicles and motorcycles.
Social media platforms have also been filled with accusations against police officers and military personnel who allegedly stole from homes and even from victims who died during the disaster.
A branch of a major pharmacy chain was looted, along with supermarkets and other businesses. Some residents have described the situation as “disaster tourism,” while others say the looting reflects hunger and desperation among people who lost everything in a country already facing a prolonged economic crisis.
“Is it fair that our own people turn against our own people?” said María Esther Bernal, 71, who rented commercial spaces to Chinese merchants, all of which were looted. “They left nothing behind, not even the wallpaper. They even took the cables,” she said.
“Next door, a man died. He was Chinese. People walked over his body while they looted the place. It was a supermarket,” she added.
An AFP journalist witnessed looting in La Guaira since Thursday, following the earthquakes.
Jenifer Mayora, 34, defended some of the actions, saying that “the things people took were because the owners of the stores allowed us to take them.”
However, she criticized the limited response from authorities. “I have been waiting for a mattress so my children can sleep,” she said.
Residents have expressed anger over what they describe as a slow and insufficient response from authorities after the double earthquake, which has left around 1,450 people dead and tens of thousands missing.
Communities are demanding not only faster rescue operations in La Guaira, but also stronger security measures and urgent assistance with food, water, and medicine.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
Looting Spreads in Venezuela’s Hardest-Hit Areas After Deadly Earthquakes
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
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