Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
A US-backed aid group began giving out food in Gaza on Tuesday but chaotic scenes unfolded as thousands of hungry people rushed towards a distribution centre and Israeli security forces reportedly fired warning shots.
The start of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's operations comes nearly three months after Israel imposed a blockade on the Palestinian territory, which is now at risk of widespread famine. Here is a look at the foundation and the surrounding controversy.
What is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation?
Israel and the US have long claimed that they cannot responsibly deliver food aid to Gaza because Hamas loots and hoards it for its fighters or extorts high prices from locals by selling it on. World Food Programme chief Cindy McCain disputed this claim on Sunday.
Israel has also blocked the UN from most aid deliveries and thrown up obstacles to the meagre amounts it can still get into Gaza.
To boost aid deliveries in a way Israel and the US envision cutting out Hamas, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) was created with both countries' backing, though it is a non-government entity.
It was registered in Geneva in February but has no known offices or representatives in the unofficial capital of the humanitarian world. It has no contact phone number or website.
How does it operate?
The GHF is establishing what it calls secure distribution sites, each built to serve 300,000 people. These are being protected by US private security contractors.
The Israeli army said that two of the group's distribution centres located in Tel Al Sultan and the Morag Corridor in the Rafah area began operating on Tuesday.
The concept is that only “verified” Palestinian recipients of aid can come to these hubs to receive family rations.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said about 8,000 boxes containing the equivalent of 462,000 meals had been distributed so far.
On the first day of operations, thousands of people rushed into a new aid distribution centre in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Gunfire rang out. It was unclear who fired, but videos posted on social media showed crowds scattering as what could have been warning shots were heard.
“They are hard to watch, these pictures. I can tell you that obviously we've just seen the videos. We don't have any independent confirmation of what happened at these distribution points, as we're not there and we're not involved,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
The GHF's former executive director, Jake Wood, announced his resignation on Sunday, saying it was impossible to do his job in line with humanitarian principles.
What is the criticism?
The UN and several aid agencies have criticised the GHF. The UN said it would have no involvement in its operations.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq said the organisation “does not accord with our basic principles, including those of impartiality, neutrality, independence”.
Critics say the GHF is contravening humanitarian principles by forcing people to move to distribution sites to get food, particularly given the fact most Gazans have been repeatedly displaced since the start of the war.
Critics have also questioned the determination of the location of the distribution points, especially in light of Israel's plans for the “conquest” of Gaza and the movement of its population.
“Aid that is used to mask continuing violence is not aid, it is in fact humanitarian cover for a military strategy of control and dispossession," a group of NGOs, including ActionAid, said in a statement this month.
Last week, Swiss rights watchdog TRIAL International criticised the use of private security companies which it said led to a “risky militarisation of aid”.
Still, other groups and people have argued that the GHF is the best of several bad options, with the goal of getting food to those who need it justifying the means.
"The bottom line is, the real story here is that the aid is moving through," Ms Bruce told reporters. "It's not surprising that there might be a few issues involved. But the good news is that those seeking to get aid to the people of Gaza, which is not Hamas, have succeeded."
A senior Trump administration official said GHF should be commended for launching a project to deliver food aid.
"GHF is a threat to Hamas’s longstanding system of looting the assistance intended for the people of Gaza," the official said. "The UN and other aid agencies were wrong to criticise. Aid is getting to the people in need, and through their secure distribution system, Israel is kept safe and Hamas empty-handed."
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
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Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
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As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
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Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
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Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
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Pakhtoons 137-6 (10 ov)
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Perera 47; Sohail 2-18
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Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
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Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
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5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
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TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
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