International aid organizations say they are striving to coordinate more humanitarian aids for people in the war-torn Gaza Strip, following the entry of a new batch of aid supplies into the besieged Palestinian enclave after a humanitarian aid blockade by Israel for over four months.
On Thursday, trucks carrying medical supplies and food arrived at a warehouse in Gaza, a stark contrast to previous scenes of desperation.
"We are so happy today. Today is a great day indeed, like, bringing food to the Gaza people. We manage to bring 207 pallets out of the series of commodities that we are planning to bring over the next 10 days. These gifts and donation are provided by the UAE and the ERC (Emergency Relief Coordinator), which we greatly value and appreciate. They've been with us all the way along since the start of the war. And we hope that this aid continues to flow into the Gaza Strip," said Yazdan Al-Amawi, director of the Gaza branch of an non-governmental organization (NGO).
After enduring over four months of a humanitarian aid blockade, people in Gaza are hoping to maintain the newly resumed mechanism of aid delivery. The situation remains catastrophic, with starvation looming over the population.
Although there's new supplies flowing into Gaza, it still falls far short of meeting the people's urgent needs.
On the same day, Israel closed crossings into northern Gaza once again due to recent images of masked men appearing on aid trucks. Israel claimed it halted the entry of much-needed aid from the north because Hamas was stealing it.
Clan leaders in Gaza explained that the masked men, with some holding sticks, were offering protection to the aid convoy.
Aid organizations strive to coordinate more supplies for people in Gaza
Aid organizations strive to coordinate more supplies for people in Gaza
Aid organizations strive to coordinate more supplies for people in Gaza
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
