A United Nations spokesman confirmed that nothing has entered Gaza from the Kerem Shalom crossing, which Israel said it reopened Wednesday, because fighting is still ongoing. With rockets falling and other military activities, there is an issue of safety for humanitarian personnel, he said.

Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

The United Nations has reported that despite Israel announcing the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, humanitarian aid has not been able to enter the region. According to a UN spokesman, the continued conflict and safety concerns for humanitarian personnel due to ongoing rocket fire and military actions have prevented aid from being delivered. This situation has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza where displaced Palestinians are struggling to find shelter and resources.

In Rafah, southern Gaza, displaced Palestinians have established a makeshift camp, utilizing their limited resources. Many individuals have been forced to flee multiple times due to the advancing Israeli military in the eastern parts of their city. The displaced individuals have expressed a loss of hope and resilience, stating their inability to endure further displacement without resources or money to facilitate movement.

Casualties have been reported in Rafah hospitals as bombings persist, impacting an area where over a million Palestinians are seeking refuge. The closure of the Rafah crossing by Israeli forces has further complicated the humanitarian situation by severing a vital conduit for aid and fuel. The World Health Organization's head has highlighted on social media the dire situation in the southern hospitals of Gaza, which are on the verge of running out of fuel within three days.

Israeli authorities have justified their military actions by claiming the presence of Hamas battalions in Rafah, deeming a ground invasion necessary to dismantle them. However, the UN warns that such military actions could precipitate a humanitarian catastrophe in the region.



UN says humanitarian aid not coming through Kerem Shalom crossing

Here in Rafah, in southern Gaza, these displaced Palestinians set up a camp with their few remaining resources. Many have fled north after Israeli tanks and troops entered the city's east. After being displaced multiple times, these Gazans say they are running out of hope. We're not able to be patient and resilient anymore. We have no money and we don't have the means to move from one place to another again and again. We have no means at all. I don't want to wait for the situation to become too dangerous and be forced into homelessness or to lose a family member. I've lost enough loved ones. I've lost enough loved ones. I'm not willing to lose anyone else I love. We've lost too much. Casualties poured into this hospital in Rafah on Wednesday as bombs continue to strike the city where over a million Palestinians are sheltering. Further south, the shutters have come down on the Rafah crossing as Israeli forces seize the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, cutting off a crucial route for aid and fuel. On social media, the head of the WHO is warning that hospitals in the south of the enclave only have three days of fuel left. The Israeli government says that Hamas has battalions in Rafah and that a ground invasion is needed to dismantle them. The UN says that such a move will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission to appeal against his extradition to the United States on espionage charges. Assange argued at London's High Court he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech at a trial in a U.S. court.

London

Julian Assange wins right to appeal U.S. extradition

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Monday (May 20) applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Hamas leaders. Karim Khan said he was seeking warrants against Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes including "starvation."

The Hague

I.C.C. prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and all other passengers were killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, officials and state media said, after search teams located the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province.

Tehran

Iran's president Raisi killed in helicopter crash

New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria State Governments are calling for the minimum age to use social media being raised to 16. It comes as the NSW Premier announces a social media summit later this year to explore the issue.

New South Wales

Calls for age restrictions on social media use

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip, residents said, as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid U.S. calls for a more focused military campaign.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. envoy visits Israel as troops push deeper into Gaza

A prominent member of Israel's war cabinet, Benny Gantz, has threatened to quit if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't outline a post-war plan for Gaza by early next month. There's also pressure from protesters who are calling on the government to do more to secure the release of captives.

Key ally of Netanyahu threatens to quit over Gaza

Sunday is the final day of the Premier League season, with both Manchester City and Arsenal in contention to win the title. A victory against visitors West Ham will guarantee a fourth championship in a row for City.

Manchester

Man City know ‘it’s win or Arsenal will be champions’

New York police have beaten and arrested several protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Brooklyn, according to witnesses. The New York Post said at least 12 people were arrested.

New York

Pro-Palestine protesters beaten, arrested in New York

There were ugly scenes in Melbourne city as hundreds of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protest groups clashed with each other. With tensions flaring, a significant police presence blocked off streets and separated the rival demonstrators.

Melbourne

Palestinian and Israeli protestors clash in Melbourne

A police officer has been stabbed in the back of the head in an unprovoked attack near Hyde Park in Sydney city. The injured constable then chased his attacker, who was eventually tasered by a patrolling riot squad officer.

Council of the City of Sydney

Police officer stabbed in Sydney CBD

Crews in the U.S. city of Houston are working to restore power to nearly one million homes and businesses, after storms caused widespread damage. A Texas official says some residents could be without power for weeks.

Houston

Seven dead after powerful storms slam Houston, Texas

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands overnight into this morning, swamping streets and buildings and sparking evacuations.

Berlin

Floods in parts of northern Europe after heavy rains

One more person was killed and two injured in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order after a fifth night of riots and looting that has now claimed six lives.

Nouméa

Some neighbourhoods out of control in New Caledonia riots

Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in an attack by gunmen in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Bamyan

Spanish tourists killed in Afghanistan shooting

Gregor Haas, father of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, has been arrested in the Philippines. Authorities allege that he attempted to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia, a crime that carries the death penalty.

Cebu City

Father of NRL star arrested in Philippines

A new temporary pier built by the U.S. is helping bring desperately needed aid to Gaza. The first shipment of humanitarian aid has already started rolling into the besieged enclave, but UN officials say it's no replacement for deliveries by land.

Rafah

Aid rolls into Gaza as U.S. constructed pier opens

Surveillance video from a hotel in 2016 appears to show rapper and record mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, matching allegations she made in a now-settled civil suit against him.

Los Angeles

Video emerges of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting woman

The world's number one ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested early this morning on his way to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. He is facing four charges including assault of an officer, after allegedly dodging a pedestrian death investigation.

Louisville

Scheffler, top ranked golfer arrested outside tournament

Hundreds of French police reinforcements have arrived in Noumea amid deadly riots that have claimed the lives of five people. The unrest follows plans to change electoral rolls to allow more French residents to vote.

French force arrives in New Caledonia

Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday (May 17), marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks.

Aid trucks begin moving through Gaza pier, U.S. says

Israel was at the International Court of Justice Friday (May 17), defending its military operation in Gaza. The United Nations' top court wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel’s military incursion in Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza."

Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

Speaking at the end of his state visit to China, President Vladimir Putin said that Russian forces advancing in Ukraine's northeast were carving out a buffer zone to protect Russia from attacks. Ukraine's top commander warned of "heavy battles" looming on the war's new front in the Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv

Ukraine Invasion

Putin says Russia carving out 'buffer zone' around Kharkiv

FIFA will take independent legal advice on a call by the Palestinian Football Association to suspend its Israeli counterpart over events in Gaza, the world body's president said Friday (May 17).

Bangkok

FIFA to seek legal advice over Israel suspension

French police shot dead an armed man who set fire to a synagogue in the northwestern city of Rouen. Officers opened fire when the assailant threw an iron bar at them and threatened them with a knife as he left the building.

Rouen

French police kill attempted synagogue arsonist

The United States military on Thursday (May 17) said it had finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip, with officials poised to begin ferrying humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Gaza floating pier project for aid deliveries complete

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is stable but his condition remains serious after undergoing several hours of surgery. Fico was shot five times in the central town of Handlova after he left a government meeting. The assassination attempt shocked the country and drew global condemnation.

Handlová

Slovakia PM in stable condition after surgery

At their bilateral meeting in Beijing, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China stressed their close relationship through economic and military ties even though trade has come down since its peak in 2023. Some analysts say the drop may be related to Chinese banks' fears of U.S. sanctions for technology sales with Russia.

Beijing

Putin, Xi reinforce ties amid U.S. pressure to halt tech sales

A major reinforcement operation is underway to bolster security forces in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia. The airlift of police and soldiers follows three nights of protests over electoral reform. Four people have died in the unrest, including a police officer.

France sends forces to New Caledonia amid deadly riots

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would force President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war with Hamas.

Washington

U.S. House bill requires Biden to send weapons to Israel

At the former U.S. president's trial on Thursday, Donald Trump's lawyer accused star witness Michael Cohen of lying about a phone conversation he claimed to have had with Trump about a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

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Israel-Gaza War