Hundreds of staff members of the United Nations (UN) on Thursday gathered in front of the Palace of Nations in Geneva to mourn more than 370 colleagues killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct 7, 2023 and condemn the targeting of UN personnel in the enclave.
Since Oct 7, 2023, at least 543 aid workers have been killed, including 373 UN staff and team members, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
UN staff carried placards reading "Not a Target", "Stop Killing UN Staff", laid white roses next to a memorial plaque, and observed a one minute of silence to honor their colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty.
No conflict has taken so many of their colleagues in such a short time, with no end in sight, according to the organizers.
The rally is their tribute to those who have lost their lives, their message of solidarity to those who continue to serve in Gaza, and their call to all to account, said the organizers.
UN staff in Geneva rally against killing of colleagues in Gaza
UN staff in Geneva rally against killing of colleagues in Gaza
UN staff in Geneva rally against killing of colleagues in Gaza
China's commissioning of "five essentials for aircraft carriers" marks a a significant achievement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s accelerated transformation and development, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.
The "five essentials" refer to stealth carrier-based fighters, multirole catapult-assisted carrier-based fighters, fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters.
"The package, or what media have dubbed the 'five essentials for aircraft carriers,' is a vital link in forming the systematic combat capability of aircraft carrier formations and a significant achievement in the PLA Navy’s accelerated transformation and development. Building a strong PLA Navy embodies the Chinese nation's long-cherished aspiration of striving to be a strong naval power and serves as an important guarantee for realizing national rejuvenation. In the new era, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, the modernization of the PLA Navy has become increasingly solid and powerful. From the air to the sea, from coastal waters to the open ocean, the types and functions of various weapons platforms have been continuously improved, achieving leapfrog development and innovative breakthroughs, providing stronger guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.
Spokesman confirms commissioning of 'five essentials' for carriers
