International
Deaths in Gaza rise to 34,622, after the deaths of 26 people in the last few hours
The number of deaths in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli offensive has increased to 34,622, after hospitals in the area reported the death of 26 people in recent hours, the Ministry of Health, controlled by the Government of Hamas, reported on Friday.
“The Israeli occupation committed 3 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, including 25 deaths and 51 people injured, during the last 24 hours,” the Ministry said in a brief statement, in which it recalled that there are numerous corpses under the rubble and in areas inaccessible to emergency services, due to attacks by the Israeli Army.
In addition, the Ministry detailed that in the 210 days of the Israeli military offensive, 77,867 people have been injured.
The Palestinian agency Wafa had reported the death of at least six Palestinians during the night of Thursday to Friday, including four children, in an Israeli airstrike against a residential building in the city of Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, turned into the last refuge for the displaced from the north.
Local sources told Wafa that Israeli fighter planes bombed a residential building in Rafah, resulting in the death of six civilians, four children and two adults. In addition, an indeterminate number of people were injured.
Another residential building east of this border city with Egypt, which awaits a land offensive and where more than 1.4 million Palestinians live overcrowded, was also bombed causing civilians to be injured, the Palestinian agency details.
Another nine civilians were injured in the center of the enclave, after an Israeli attack on the Bureij refugee camp, according to Palestinian sources, who did not determine their number.
No conflict has caused a level of destruction similar to that of Gaza since World War II, the United Nations reported, which estimated that post-war reconstruction could cost up to $50 billion.
“We have not seen anything like this since 1945,” Abdallah al Dardari, director of the Regional Office for the Arab States of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said on Thursday. “That intensity, in such a short time and the massive scale of destruction,” he added.
More than 70% of all the homes in the enclave have been destroyed, lamented this UN official, and assured that it will be necessary to remove about 37 million tons of debris.
In comparison, during Israel’s war in Gaza in 2014, which lasted 51 days of summer, about 2.4 million tons of ruins were removed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared itself “extremely concerned” about Israeli plans to intervene on a large scale military in Rafah, at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, where 1.2 million Palestinians are overcrowded, many after fleeing months of hostilities further north.
Such an operation “would make the humanitarian catastrophe even more worse,” said the representative of the WHO in the Palestinian Territories, Rik Peeperkorn, at a press conference.
He also stressed that the WHO and its partners are making contingency plans to ensure that the health system is prepared for a military operation, although he recalled that in many cases, as has happened in areas further north of Gaza, many hospitals are no longer accessible or are even direct targets of armed attacks.
As part of its preparations for a possible large-scale operation, WHO has established a new field hospital in Rafah, and a storage area for medical supplies.
“Despite the measures we take, the health system, already weakened, will not be able to withstand the enormous devastation that the incursion would possibly cause,” he said.
Peeperkorn expressed his fear that the three hospitals in Rafah will lose the ability to care for patients in the event of a large-scale operation.
He concluded by noting that Gaza’s health system “barely survives,” with only 12 of the 36 hospitals in the strip and 22 of the 88 health facilities partially functioning.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated on Thursday that the invasion of Rafah, a city bordering Egypt and turned into the last refuge of the Palestinians, is still standing, despite the parallel negotiations with Hamas on a possible ceasefire.
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.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
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
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International5 days agoCristiano Ronaldo Makes History as First Player to Score in Six World Cups
-
Central America4 days agoEl Salvador and Chile Mark 150 Years of Relations With Expanded Bilateral Cooperation
-
International3 days agoUnited Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
-
International4 days agoWHO Expects Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship to End by July 2
-
International3 days agoOAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
-
International4 days agoBill Gates Says Jeffrey Epstein Made “Veiled” Threats Over Extramarital Affairs
-
International5 days agoU.S. Proposes Higher Citizenship Fees and Limits on Immigration Fee Waivers
-
Central America5 days agoCosta Rica Launches Largest Police Operation in History, Dismantles Major Drug Cartel
-
International17 hours agoUN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people