International
The mediators will continue the meetings in Cairo after “constructive” negotiations in Doha
The mediators for a truce in Gaza – the United States, Qatar and Egypt – announced on Friday the end of “constructive” negotiations in Doha, and affirmed that the conversation about a US proposal “that closes the gaps” between Israel and Hamas will continue in Cairo.
In a joint statement, the mediators described the negotiations they held on Thursday and Friday with an Israeli negotiating delegation in Doha as “intensive, serious and constructive” and stated that “they were developed in a positive atmosphere.”
The note stressed that “the US today presented a proposal to the two parties (Israel and Hamas), with the support of Qatar and Egypt, which reduces the gaps,” and assured that that offer “is consistent with the principles (of the proposal) of US President Joe Biden,” announced on May 31
He explained that this new US proposal “builds on the points of agreement achieved (…), and closes the remaining gaps in a way that allows a rapid implementation of the ceasefire agreement” in Gaza.
According to the statement, “technical teams will continue work for the next few days on the details (…) including preparations to implement the humanitarian details,” as well as “those related to Palestinian hostages (Israelis) and prisoners”.
In this context, he stressed that “high officials of our Governments will meet again in Cairo before the end of next week with the desire to reach an agreement in accordance with the conditions proposed today.”
The mediators also recalled in the statement that “there is no more time to waste,” and “there are no excuses for any of the parties to justify a further delay.”
Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group say they accept Biden’s proposal, although in recent weeks both the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas spokesmen have accused each other of imposing amendments to the US president’s plan.
Hamas has repeatedly insisted that a ceasefire agreement include a definitive cessation of military operations and the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, including the Rafah land crossing and the Philadelphia corridor, both on the border of the Palestinian Strip with Egypt.
For his part, Netanyahu demands, among other demands, the implementation of an Israeli control mechanism in the Netzarim corridor – which divides the north and south of Gaza since the beginning of the war – to ensure that the militiamen do not regroup in the north.
He also insists on the presence of the Israeli Army in the Philadelphia corridor to prevent arms smuggling.
“It is time to release the hostages and prisoners, start a ceasefire and implement the agreement,” the joint statement said, and said: “now the way is paved to achieve that result, save lives, offer help to the people of Gaza and calm tensions in the region.
The mediators, as well as the international community, are pushing for the new round of negotiations to be successful because it is one of the few hopes to avoid an eventual expansion of the war in the Middle East, in the face of Iran’s threat to attack Israel and the possible responses of that country
The Islamist organization Hamas showed its dissatisfaction with what was discussed in the Doha negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, assuring that what it has been able to know about them “does not include a commitment to what was agreed on July 2,” referring to the original proposal put forward by the United States, whose implementation they demand.
The Islamist organization, which has governed de facto in Gaza since 2007, did not send a delegation to Doha precisely to demand the implementation of what was previously agreed “instead of continuing with new rounds of negotiations.”
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
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
-
International19 hours agoLooting Spreads in Venezuela’s Hardest-Hit Areas After Deadly Earthquakes
-
Central America5 days agoEl Salvador and Chile Mark 150 Years of Relations With Expanded Bilateral Cooperation
-
International4 days agoOAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
-
International4 days agoUnited Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
-
International5 days agoWHO Expects Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship to End by July 2
-
International5 days agoBill Gates Says Jeffrey Epstein Made “Veiled” Threats Over Extramarital Affairs
-
International2 days agoUN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people