Day: March 18, 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, announced that representatives from over 40 countries will meet in Cyprus on March 21st to discuss the operational coordination of the next steps regarding the maritime corridor to the Gaza Strip, speaking upon his arrival to the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council which is held on Monday in Brussels. This meeting in Cyprus, Kombos explained, will focus on scaling up capacity at the stages of departure, transport and distribution of the aid, as well as the establishment of a specialised fund to support the project in the long term. The Foreign Minister also pointed out that small technical issues that arose during the departure of the first shipment have been taken into account, and noted that the creation of a temporary jetty by the US is proceeding and could be ready earlier than initially discussed. He also pointed out that originally Cyprus worked alone on the proposal, but that what is important now is that it is being implemented. Upon arriving to the FAC, Kombos said that he would be updating the Council as to the progress regarding the maritime corridor, and noted that 'the first shipment of 200 tons has arrived in Gaza and has been safely distributed'. 'A second, larger shipment is ready to depart as we speak. We now have therefore proof of concept and the aim is to continue, in a systematic and scaled up way, the flow of shipments to Gaza' he added, pointing out that 'what happened is that Israel has lifted the naval blockade of Gaza exclusively for their Amalthea plan'. Noting that the aim is to continue 'with the logistical upgrade of the whole structure', Kombos pointed out that 'to this end we continue to see the usefulness of the land and air crossings and we insist that this is a complementary and additive effort'. The Minister also thanked Egypt and Jordan 'for all the work they have been doing all this time', and added that the Cypriot initiative is complementary to those efforts. He also pointed out that Cyprus 'has been working on this for a long time and the support by the United States and the UAE has been instrumental', and added that Cyprus is extremely pleased that there is now a 'growing international humanitarian coalition'. Regarding the next steps, the Minister said that the first thing needed is to scale up the capacity in terms of the departure point, the means of transport and the distribution network, as well as 'the establishment of a fund for the financing of the project' and 'the successful and effective integration of interested parties'. 'To this end, there is a meeting scheduled on the 21st of March in Cyprus with the participation of more than 40 countries, exactly in order to see operationally how we can proceed'. He further explained that the meeting on the 21st of March concerns 'how we can scale up operational capacity also in terms of how we can have additional means of transport and also in terms of distribution network'. Regarding the fund, he said that the participants will discuss 'the modalities in relation to that, the ring fencing of the fund, because this is going to be a project that is for the long run, and it needs to be financed properly in a secure way, with accountability through which the countries that want to participate will be able to submit their pledges'. Commenting on the role that the EU will have in this meeting, the Minister pointed out that the EU is already on the ground with a team from DG ECHO. 'They have been very supportive, especially the President of the European Commission, and we are using their expertise and their logistical capacity both on the ground and in terms of the planning' he said. 'We have established a maritime corridor for Gaza, which is a lifeline for the people in Gaza. And to this end, we'll continue to work with our partners' Kombos added. Responding to a question on the progress of works on a temporary jetty by the US off the coast of Gaza, Kombos said that the information he has is that it is proceeding and that the end of the construction is closer in time to what was originally discussed. 'This is going to be very important because it's going to enable a more systematic flow of aid' he added, underlining that this is to be 'in cooperation with interested parties Cyprus included and that would be a game changer'. Responding to a question on why the proposal took five months to be implemented, Kombos said that Cyprus has been pushing for this adding that 'we are happy with the result, that finally the international community and important players have seen the value of this and we're looking forward'. 'We have done the work for a long time, we have been alone in this, but what is important is at the end of the day this is happening, because the people of Gaza need all the aid that they can get', Kombos stressed. Asked to assess the implementation of the project so far, Kombos said that 'we've seen a number of minor issues of technical nature that we have incorporated in the updating of the planning'. He said there were 'minor issues in terms of the platforms, o f the barges, in terms of the small pier that has been constructed'. 'All these are issues that delayed in a way the actual distribution, the arrival and distribution, but no major issue has arisen. We have dealt with this and we are moving forward with the next bigger shipment' he said. Regarding the capacity of the corridor, Kombos said that 'we have the capacity to continue with a consistent flow' which 'of course depends on the pledges by countries that are interested', the vessels needed and the distribution network in Gaza itself, which needs to be able to make good use of the aid in an efficient way. 'So, we cannot overburden that system and this is why we are looking into building up the capacity in terms of adding up recipients of the aid in terms of the distribution' he said, noting that this is something that will be discussed on March 21st. Finally, regarding security and the checks conducted before the aid leaves Larnaca, Kombos sais that the security protocol 'has been designed for some time now in cooperation with the Israeli side'. The aid so far includes primarily food and other related supplies, and the next step is expected to include medicine. Also, he said, the aid is being distributed currently by the NGO World Central Kitchen. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: For years, Alex de Waal has been researching and writing about famine and starvation across the world, but the current conditions Israel has created in the Gaza Strip are something he has never encountered. On Monday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative, or IPC, issued a new report warning that famine is now 'imminent' in Gaza, with 1.1 million - or half its population - 'facing catastrophic levels of hunger and starvation.' The report shows the situation has significantly deteriorated since the last assessment in December, and that if Israel continues its deadly strategies, the number of people experiencing these conditions will nearly double by July. 'I can't think of a case that has been as accelerated,' De Waal said in an interview with Anadolu about the situation in Gaza, where Israel has now killed more than 31,600 Palestinians since Oct. 7 and pushed millions to starvation. Over the past almost six months, the Israeli assault has displaced 85% of Gaza's population and created acute shortages of food, water, medicine and all other essentials of life. Latest figures indicate almost 30 Palestinians, including children, have now died of malnutrition and dehydration. Mass starvation is normally a 'slower process' that takes 'a lot longer,' especially in areas where there is some sort of agricultural production for subsistence, said De Waal, who serves as the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University in the US. In Gaza, Israel has applied tactics of mass starvation 'in a very geographically concentrated (area) … and in a very accelerated way, very much speeded up,' he explained. Though the food security situation in Gaza before last October was already 'not good,' the prevalence of severe acute malnutrition among children was very low, he said. According to data from end-November or beginning of December, less than 1% of children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, he said. In just over two months, more than half of Gaza's populati on was reduced to emergency status or worse, and that 'hasn't happened anywhere, in my knowledge, at that speed,' he added. No famine 'doesn't mean starvation isn't being used as a weapon' The actual declaration of famine in any place is a technical process, hindered by access to data and political constraints, according to De Waal. In countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria and Yemen, it was seen that authorities did not want a famine declaration and prevented access to data, he said. 'Israel will be, I'm sure, very similar … They (Israel) don't want a famine declaration,' he asserted. The argument from Israeli authorities could be that 'the methods of analysis are not truly rigorous and they may have a point,' he said. 'But that shouldn't obscure the fact that even if there isn't enough data to declare famine, there is certainly massive evidence of the catastrophe that is unfolding,' he argued. A key point, he emphasized, is that 'the act of using starvation doesn't mean that people have to die.' 'All y ou need to do to be responsible for that is to deprive them,' he said. 'So, even if there isn't famine, it doesn't mean that starvation isn't being used as a weapon.' - 'Israelis doing it on bigger scale, more rapidly' than Assad in Syria De Waal said there are several examples of past conflicts where starvation has been used as a weapon, with one being Syria. 'The actions of the Netanyahu government and the actions of the Assad government are quite similar,' he said, The difference, he added, is that 'the Israelis are doing it on a bigger scale and more rapidly.' For other places such as Yemen and Ethiopia's Tigray region, De Waal pointed out that 'those are very different because the population is much larger and also rural, spread over a much larger area.' De Waal stressed that the starvation and hunger in Gaza will have generational impacts for Palestinians. 'Once the population, particularly the population of children is in such a desperate state, you can't just reverse it. So, the killing might stop but the dying will continue,' he said. He pointed out the reconstruction of Gaza 'to make it habitable' is going to take a huge effort and a long time. 'Children in utero or young children who are exposed to this physically will grow up without full physical capabilities. They'll be shorter, they won't have their mental faculties, won't be fully developed. So, there will be an impact on the next generation, and maybe on even two generations,' he said. 'For example, there's research done on the survivors of the Hunger Winter in the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945, which shows how children who were very young at that time are shorter than their elder and younger siblings, they don't have the same educational qualifications.' ???????The psychological trauma will also certainly continue for generations, he added. 'That's because, obviously the violence is incredibly traumatic, but also the starvation is a very traumatic psychological thing,' said De Waal. Source: Anadolu Agency

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne discussed issues related to bilateral relations and enhancing strategic partnerships, in a meeting on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU. 'Positive exchange with my French colleague @steph_sejourne on the sidelines of the #FAC meeting in Brussels today', Kombos said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). 'We reaffirmed Cypriot - French excellent bilateral relations and discussed steps ahead in enhancing our strategic partnership in several fields. Discussion also focused on Cyprus Question and developments in the #MiddleEast' he added. Kombos also said that he is looking forward for a visit by Sejourne to Cyprus soon. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: The EU's top five metropolitan regions hosted a total of 35.7 million people in 2023, according to data from Eurostat released on Monday. The regional statistical bureau said that the region with the largest number of people is Paris, France, with a population of 12.4 million. After Paris, Spain's capital Madrid ranked second with 6.9 million people, followed by Barcelona with 5.8 million inhabitants. In Germany, the capital Berlin and the Ruhr region hosted 5.5 million and 5.1 million residents, respectively, completing the top five EU regions with the most people. 'The most significant population growth was observed in Madrid (+322 000), Barcelona (+282 000), and Berlin (+222 000),' said the report. As for population decline, the Italian capital Rome saw a noticeable decrease of 129,000 compared to 2018, whereas the population of Milan remained stable at a 6,000 decrease. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: The Israeli army late on Monday released Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul and other journalists after arresting them earlier in the day at al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza City. Al-Ghoul and the other journalists were arrested early on Monday by Israeli forces who raided the hospital, arrested dozens, and kicked out thousands of Palestinians who were sheltering inside. The Doha-based TV network said in a statement that a broadcast vehicle with cameras and other equipment was destroyed by Israeli forces following the arrests of journalists inside the hospital. The US State Department was among those to express concern about the fate of the detained journalists. The Gaza Media Office said last month that at least 126 Palestinian media workers have been killed since Israel began its offensive in Gaza last Oct. 7, after a cross-border raid by Hamas that killed some 1,200 people. More than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, and over 73,000 i njured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Turkish security forces captured three suspected members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) who were trying to cross into Greece, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Monday. "Our fight against terrorism continues at our borders," a ministry statement said. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the captured individuals were members of the FETO terror group, it added. FETO and its US-based leader Fethullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in which 252 people were killed and 2,734 wounded in Trkiye. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Monday that Israel barred him from entering the Gaza Strip. 'I intended to go to Rafah today, but I have been informed an hour ago that my entry into Rafah is declined,' Philippe Lazzarini told a press conference in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The move came one day after UNRWA warned on Sunday that Gaza's population is on the verge of famine. "On the day new data is out on famine in Gaza, the Israeli Authorities deny my entry to Gaza," Lazzarini added on X. The Egyptian minister, for his part, condemned the Israeli move to deny the UNRWA chief entry into Gaza. 'This is an unprecedented stance against a UN official," he added. There was no immediate Israeli comment yet on the report. Following Israeli accusations that some of the UN agency members were involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, several Western countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and many EU countries, have halted payments to UNRWA, pendi ng an investigation. UNRWA was created by the UN General Assembly more than 70 years ago to assist Palestinians who were forcibly displaced from their land. The agency provides crucial support to millions of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and other areas where large numbers of registered Palestinians live. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: A call for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip was echoed in the Australian parliament on Monday, when a group of people spoke up in support of Palestinians, with the government benches staying silent during the proceedings. A group of pro-Palestinian people used the gallery section of parliament to demand a cease-fire in Gaza, which has been bombed extensively by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, killing and injuring over 100,000 Palestinians. According to SBS News, security personnel removed the group, which demanded a "cease-fire now," from the gallery as Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfus rose to answer a question from a lawmaker. 'Shame, shame,' the protesters yelled. "You support genocide… Albanese, your hands are red. 15,000 children dead,' the protestors shouted. Anthony Albanese is the leader of the Australian Labor Party and prime minister. Video footage of the gallery cannot be made public unless authorized by the Australian parliament speaker. Greens Senator Max Chandler-Ma ther came out in support of the protesting group. 'Solidarity with the protestors for Palestine in Question Time (in parliament) today peacefully fighting for a ceasefire and an end to the genocide in Gaza," Chandler-Mather wrote on X. "History will remember you well." Na'ama Carlin, a sociologist, who posted a video of government officials and lawmakers sitting in the parliament on X, wrote: 'Smirking and eye rolling while people who have not been heard in any other platform are MADE to protest at the house of reps (representatives) against this bloody war. Over 30k (30,000) Palestinians massacred by Israel. And you're EYE ROLLING???' Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on Gaza since a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed nearly 1,200 people. More than 31,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in the enclave, and nearly 73,700 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war has pushe d 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Be that as it may, the recent political infighting among Bosnia's ethnonational elites over an economically and geopolitically charged issue like the pipeline project should come as no surprise at all in a country where even the most basic services of daily life - such as hospitals, schools, fire brigades, garbage collection services, and so on - are deeply divided along ethnic lines in a system that fully institutionalizes and reifies ethnic cleavages. Western pressure and reassurances to Croatia and Bosnian Croats will likely lead them to end their obstructionism, but all this still begs the question: Even if the Southern Interconnection natural gas pipeline is unblocked and eventually constructed, will this actually serve to reduce Moscow's influence in Bosnia and more broadly in the Western Balkans? It will certainly be a positive step but I believe that this still does not address the crux of the matter. ???????Russia's leverage over Bosnia and the Western Balkans and its potential to stir up trouble there does not stem primarily from Moscow's weaponization of its energy resources or the special relationship it has with Republika Srpska that constitutes probably the closest thing we have to a Russian client entity in the region. Rather, Moscow's leverage over the region stems primarily from its obstructionism and blocking of the recognition of Kosovo's independence. This is also the most important bond that unites Serbian and Russian interests in the region and allows Belgrade to perpetuate instability in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and often even in North Macedonia. As such, in order to close off any opening to Moscow to trigger regional instability, apart from plans to reduce regional energy dependence on Russian gas as the Southern Interconnection pipeline discussed here, what is more important, I think, is making Kosovo a NATO member state. What is needed for that is rather straightforward: Western pressure on the four NATO non-recognizers of Kosovo, namely Greece, Romania, Slov akia, and Spain to end their obstructionism on this matter. Amid Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine, the stakes are too high to ignore this practical course of action. *Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu. Source: Anadolu Agency