UN: Hamas Seized Food, Blankets

(AP) - The United Nations today halted all aid deliveries to the besieged Gaza Strip, citing a series of Israeli attacks on UN staff and installations. The announcement came shortly after the driver of a UN truck was killed by tank fire as he was headed to an Israeli border crossing to pick up an aid shipment. The UN said the delivery had been coordinated with Israel. The Israeli army has not commented. More»

Militants torch camp seeking to shield kids from extremism

(NEWSER) - Dozens of masked gunmen attacked a United Nations-run summer camp for Gaza's children yesterday, tying up guards and setting the camp on fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the AP reports, although the UN camps are competing with camps run by Hamas, which teach an anti-Israel doctrine and military marching along with horseback riding and swimming. More»

Israel alleges bias, but Jewish rapporteur draws wide praise

(NEWSER) - A UN team investigating possible war crimes by the Israeli army and Hamas has arrived in the Gaza Strip for a weeklong fact-finding mission. Israel is refusing to cooperate with what it calls a "masquerade," alleging that the UN Human Rights Council is unfairly biased. But the selection of Richard Goldstone, a South African Jew with experience in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as head of the inquiry has given the commission greater legitimacy, reports the BBC. More»

Funds would provide immediate aid, more money needed for long-term

(NEWSER) - The UN asked attendees at the Davos economic forum for $613 million to address “massive and multi-faceted” needs resulting from recent violence in Gaza, the BBC reports. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says the funds will provide medical care and clean water for 6-9 months. As fresh violence heightened the need for relief, the agency also asked Israel to lift its Gaza blockade. More»

Blockade, destroyed tunnels make rebuilding nearly impossible

(NEWSER) - Now that the guns have fallen silent in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave faces what might be the most difficult reconstruction project in recent history, writes Patrick Cockburn in the Independent. Rebuilding in the densely populated zone will face two major obstacles: the economic blockade by Israel and Egypt, and the destruction of tunnels that supplied Gaza with bombs—but also food and fuel. More»