humanitarian crisis
Talks to extend Gaza truce continue; Israeli raid in Jenin kills two

Wednesday is the last day of the extended truce between Israel and Hamas. Both sides have expressed the intention to extend the truce if their conditions are met

Thousands displaced in Myanmar amid renewed fighting

Over 48,000 civilians have been internally displaced in the latest spree of fighting in Myanmar, with reports of airstrikes resulting in civilian casualties

Afghanistan earthquake 2,400 dead in massive earthquake in western Afghanistan

The total extent of the damage from the quake is yet to be ascertained and the number of dead may increase in the coming days

Peace in Yemen one step closer after historic prisoner exchange

Close to 900 prisoners have been exchanged between the two warring sides as part of the deal that comes in the wake of peace and reconciliation talks going on between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia—the primary supporter of the Yemeni government

Taliban bans women from working with the UN in Afghanistan

The latest restrictions are being viewed as an extension of the Taliban’s December 2022 directive banning women from working in NGOs. The UN said it is being forced to make an appalling choice between staying and delivering in support of the Afghan people and standing by the norms and principles we are duty-bound to uphold

Israel attack in Aleppo airport Israel bombs Syria yet again, injuring two soldiers

This is the second such strike on Syria in the past week. Israeli airstrikes on the Aleppo airport in recent weeks have caused delays in relief delivery to earthquake-affected regions in Syria

Iranians receive UN assistance 700,000 Afghans have lost their jobs since Taliban takeover, says UN expert’s report

US sanctions, job losses, business closures, and the reluctance of foreign investors to engage in Afghanistan have had catastrophic impacts on the lives of millions of Afghans. Two thirds of households are facing difficulties in meeting basic food and non-food needs

US court ruling against seizing Afghan frozen assets US district judge rules against seizing of Afghan central bank funds to compensate 9/11 victims

The Southern District Judge of New York, George Daniels, stated that federal courts lack the jurisdiction to seize funds from Afghanistan’s central bank

Syria earthquake relief Calls to withdraw sanctions on earthquake-hit Syria grow louder

Despite the US announcing temporary exemption from its sanctions on Syria, no Western country except Italy has come forward to provide any kind of assistance to Syria’s earthquake relief efforts

Ismail Mashal Afghanistan Taliban authorities detain professor for opposing ban on women’s education

Despite facing threats to his life, professor Ismail Mashal has stood defiantly against the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education in the country

UK arms to Saudi coalition in Yemen UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia face high court challenge 

The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has sought a judicial review of the UK government’s decision to resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia in 2020 despite evidence of serious violations of international law, including civilian killings, in Yemen 

Saudi coalition airstrikes in Yemen Saudi Arabia-led coalition carries out fresh airstrikes in Yemen, killing five including three children  

The airstrikes carried out this week constitute a break in the larger pattern of relative peace in Yemen, months after the collapse of a formal UN-led ceasefire in October last year