Another week of terror for families and children as the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan continue; the Generals' Plan and the siege of northern Gaza, an historian's view of US culpability in Israel's wars, and much more.
This week I am continuing to experiment with a different approach to collating the many news articles relevant to UNICEF, the UN, or children. These news links are ones which were not shared by XUNICEF members or were shared without comments. Previously, these articles would have appeared as separate pages on our XUNICEF Blog. Now they are summed up on one page.
Links to articles which members share with their opinions or comments are presented in our weekly 'From the Editors' column. We urge you to share articles you find of interest, but please add your comments or opinions when you share links to those articles.
I welcome your comments on this approach.
Tom McDermott
Articles You May Have Missed This Week
Sudan
Starvation - Save the Children analyzed nutrition surveys from Sudan’s Nutrition Cluster — a partnership including the UN, the Federal Ministry of Health, and NGOs including Save the Children— across all 18 states, and found an alarming deterioration of the nutrition situation in 19 locations. The surveys recorded global acute malnutrition rates of 30% and above – regarded as a famine threshold - in North Darfur’s Al Lait, At Tawisha and Um Kadadah localities. More than half of these surveys showed over 20% of children experiencing acute malnutrition, with the highest morbidity prevalence recorded at 74.2%. (ReliefWeb “children show physical signs of starvation”Somalia
“Humanitarians are a nightmare to work with.” The authors believe that the humanitarian system in Somalia needs to change as the country transitions towards greater stability. The author criticizes the volatile nature of humanitarian funding, which they argue disrupts peacebuilding efforts and hinders the development of a functioning state. They propose a shift away from a reliance on emergency aid and towards a system that complements the state and strengthens Somali civil society. (The New Humanitarian “Somalia is changing. The humanitarian system must as well”Pakistan
Rising polio cases in Pakistan are prompting a major vaccination drive targeting 32 million children, even as violence against health workers continues to challenge eradication efforts. Given the proximity of the affected areas, we can assume a similar rise in cases in taking place across the border in Afghanistan. (AP “Polio is Rising in Pakistan”)Lebanon
Israel’s war in Lebanon expanded this week with heavy airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and in Beirut. As of 21 October the UN says that in Beirut alone at least 192,000 people are displaced with most living in over a thousand temporary shelters. Overall, the Government of Lebanon estimates that some 1.2 million people have been displaced. According to UNHCR another 128,000 people have crossed into Syria. (UNHCR “Lebanon crisis deepens as Israeli airstrikes intensify”) and ( UN News “‘Hundreds displaced overnight’ as airstrikes destroy humanitarian facilities in Lebanon”)
UNICEF says that the war has so far damaged at least 28 water facilities, affecting the water supply for 360,000 people, mainly in the south. (Bluewin “War complicates water supply - danger of cholera”)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he was appalled by the Israeli airstrike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, one of Beirut’s 4 main hospitals. The strike killed 18 people, including 4 children, and wounded 60 others. “Any incidents which affect hospitals must be subjected to a prompt and thorough investigation.” “Hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel are specifically protected under international humanitarian law…” (OHCHR “Beirut hospital attack: Civilians must be protected”)
Initially, Israel looked to put local ‘clan’ leaders in charge of distribution,but this idea fell apart. So they are now looking for private contractors to take over delivery. A prominent Israeli philanthropist, Moti Kahana, seems to be the leading candidate. (Times of Israel, “As Israel weighs subcontracting Gaza aid delivery, a philanthropist makes his pitch“)
Few days left - “If we don’t reach the roughly 119,000 children targeted for vaccination in the northern parts of Gaza, all these children are still vulnerable to poliovirus. This means they are not protected, they can contract the virus, become paralyzed and spread it to others,” UNICEF spokesperson. (“Ozarab “Only a matter of days”)
Civil defense withdraws - Gaza’s Civil Defense organization ceased operations in the north and withdrew its personnel Wednesday after Israeli forces destroyed the area’s last remaining fire truck and threatened arrest of remaining personnel. (Andalu “Gaza Civil Defense ceases operations”)
Denied aid deliveries - “The Israeli authorities continue to deny humanitarian missions to reach the north with critical supplies, including medicine and food for people under siege,” UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, said in a statement. (Middle East Monitor “Israel bans humanitarian aid into northern Gaza amid onslaught: UN“)
UN staff - UNWRA staff in northern Gaza sent out an appeal - “Jabalia is under siege now. First responders can’t reach those buried under the rubble. As hospitals are being bombed, we stand ready to provide services in shelters, but we need medical supplies to do so.”““Our death and suffering is a live broadcast. No one cares about us anymore. We are awaiting our fate.” – UNRWA staff members in northern Gaza (UNWRA “Ceasefire Now”) News link courtesy Margherita Amodeo
Siege - It is increasingly clear that Israel is implementing a version of what is called ‘‘The Generals’ Plan’ (also known as the ‘Eiland Plan’). This strategy has been promoted for several months now by a group of senior retired Israeli officers, led by retired General Giora Eiland. Its adoption reflects increasing frustration within the government over the failure to achieve a clear military victory in Gaza, despite the massive investment of ground and air forces.
The plan was published in late September 2024 by the Forum of Commanders and Soldiers in the Reserves, an Israeli NGO which defines itself as a professional body with more than 1,500 army officers. The core of the plan is to stop humanitarian aid reaching northern Gaza; and using starvation as leverage. It has two stages. The first is the "evacuation of the population from the northern Gaza Strip". The second is the transformation of northern Gaza into a closed military zone. The area will, says the plan, be subject to a “full and tight blockade, which includes preventing movement to and from it, and preventing the entry of supplies, including food, fuel and water”. Anyone remaining will be treated as a combatant. (Middle East Eye, “What is Israel’s ‘Generals’Plan and what does it mean for the war on Gaza?”)
Arms-transfers - Despite the fact that States have a legal obligation to ensure that the arms they transfer are not used to violate international humanitarian law (IHL), the fact is that the world’s booming arms trade contributes to conflict and humanitarian crises, (Just Security, “Ensuring Respect for International Humanitarian Law in Arms-Transfer Decisions” - excerpt from ICRC’s report “International Humanitarian Law and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflict”)
UNICEF says that the war has so far damaged at least 28 water facilities, affecting the water supply for 360,000 people, mainly in the south. (Bluewin “War complicates water supply - danger of cholera”)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he was appalled by the Israeli airstrike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, one of Beirut’s 4 main hospitals. The strike killed 18 people, including 4 children, and wounded 60 others. “Any incidents which affect hospitals must be subjected to a prompt and thorough investigation.” “Hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel are specifically protected under international humanitarian law…” (OHCHR “Beirut hospital attack: Civilians must be protected”)
Palestine
Historian’s view on US / Israel shared responsibility - Rashid Khalidi, a leading historian of modern Palestine argues that the United States is fully complicit with Israel’s ongoing assault against Gaza and its expansion into Lebanon. Khalidi believes that the US and Israel are working together to destroy all constraints on violence against civilians, with a goal of eliminating Hamas and Hezbollah from the region. He also highlights the deeply troubling parallels between British colonialism in Ireland and its methods used in Palestine. Article shared by Habib Hammam (Jacobin “Israel is Acting with Full US Approval”) Interview with Rashid Khalidi. Link courtesy of Habib Hammam
NGO and UN visas - “For the past year, Israel has refused to issue work visas to the staff of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the Palestinian territories. Employees leave the country when their authorized stay expires and are replaced by others who can only enter on a tourist visa, valid for three months only, which in theory prohibits them from working.(Le Monde, ”Israel’s campaign to undermine humanitarian NGOs”
Gaza
Israel plans to 'privatize' aid - The ‘international community’ continues to push for the Palestinian Authority to take responsibility for aid distribution in Gaza, as part of an effort to restore PA governance, but Israel rejects the idea. The government similarly rejects the idea of UNWRA or another UN body managing aid deliveries. The feeling is that distribution of any UN provided aid will ultimately be controlled by Hamas, thus giving Hamas or its remnants credence with the population.Initially, Israel looked to put local ‘clan’ leaders in charge of distribution,but this idea fell apart. So they are now looking for private contractors to take over delivery. A prominent Israeli philanthropist, Moti Kahana, seems to be the leading candidate. (Times of Israel, “As Israel weighs subcontracting Gaza aid delivery, a philanthropist makes his pitch“)
Northern Gaza
Polio campaign - Organizers of the 2nd round of polio vaccinations in northern Gaza were forced to postpone the campaign due to intense bombardment and forced displacements. The campaign was scheduled to begin on Wednesday. This final phase of the ongoing campaign aimed to vaccinate 119 279 children across northern Gaza. (WHO/UNICEF News Release, “Intense bombardments, mass displacements and lack of access in northern Gaza force the postponement of polio vaccination campaign”) News shared by Niloufar Pourzand.Few days left - “If we don’t reach the roughly 119,000 children targeted for vaccination in the northern parts of Gaza, all these children are still vulnerable to poliovirus. This means they are not protected, they can contract the virus, become paralyzed and spread it to others,” UNICEF spokesperson. (“Ozarab “Only a matter of days”)
Civil defense withdraws - Gaza’s Civil Defense organization ceased operations in the north and withdrew its personnel Wednesday after Israeli forces destroyed the area’s last remaining fire truck and threatened arrest of remaining personnel. (Andalu “Gaza Civil Defense ceases operations”)
Denied aid deliveries - “The Israeli authorities continue to deny humanitarian missions to reach the north with critical supplies, including medicine and food for people under siege,” UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, said in a statement. (Middle East Monitor “Israel bans humanitarian aid into northern Gaza amid onslaught: UN“)
UN staff - UNWRA staff in northern Gaza sent out an appeal - “Jabalia is under siege now. First responders can’t reach those buried under the rubble. As hospitals are being bombed, we stand ready to provide services in shelters, but we need medical supplies to do so.”““Our death and suffering is a live broadcast. No one cares about us anymore. We are awaiting our fate.” – UNRWA staff members in northern Gaza (UNWRA “Ceasefire Now”) News link courtesy Margherita Amodeo
Siege - It is increasingly clear that Israel is implementing a version of what is called ‘‘The Generals’ Plan’ (also known as the ‘Eiland Plan’). This strategy has been promoted for several months now by a group of senior retired Israeli officers, led by retired General Giora Eiland. Its adoption reflects increasing frustration within the government over the failure to achieve a clear military victory in Gaza, despite the massive investment of ground and air forces.
The plan was published in late September 2024 by the Forum of Commanders and Soldiers in the Reserves, an Israeli NGO which defines itself as a professional body with more than 1,500 army officers. The core of the plan is to stop humanitarian aid reaching northern Gaza; and using starvation as leverage. It has two stages. The first is the "evacuation of the population from the northern Gaza Strip". The second is the transformation of northern Gaza into a closed military zone. The area will, says the plan, be subject to a “full and tight blockade, which includes preventing movement to and from it, and preventing the entry of supplies, including food, fuel and water”. Anyone remaining will be treated as a combatant. (Middle East Eye, “What is Israel’s ‘Generals’Plan and what does it mean for the war on Gaza?”)
General Humanitarian Issues
Humanitarian aid - the number and severity of crises is growing, and is likely to grow even faster in future, given climate change. Yet, humanitarian agencies and their funding is tied down on intense long-term crises like Palestine and Sudan. Funding comes mostly from a small group of Western nations. The author argues for increased ‘localisation’ with more funds going to local organizations. (Wilson Quarterly, “A Decade of Compounding Crises” by Abby Stoddard)Arms-transfers - Despite the fact that States have a legal obligation to ensure that the arms they transfer are not used to violate international humanitarian law (IHL), the fact is that the world’s booming arms trade contributes to conflict and humanitarian crises, (Just Security, “Ensuring Respect for International Humanitarian Law in Arms-Transfer Decisions” - excerpt from ICRC’s report “International Humanitarian Law and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflict”)
The Nexus? - ‘the nexus’ of humanitarian action, development and peace. One activity apparently keeping UN country teams tied up in endless meetings is the production of country reports on ‘the nexus’. The intent was to coordinate work to address root causes of conflicts. The IASC report indicates that there is little progress globally in pushing this idea, partly because the concept remains vague at country level. The ‘HDP’ concept was significantly promoted and further developed at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, which called for a "new way of working" integrating these different approaches. (ReliefWeb, IASC “Mapping good practices in humanitarian, peace approaches” “IASC Second Mapping of Good Practice” )
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