Israel Denies UN Humanitarian Official Entry
Summary
- Israel refused to renew the visa of UN humanitarian official Jonathan Whittall.
- The decision was based on alleged "biased and hostile conduct against Israel."
- Whittall's comments on Gazans killed seeking food were cited as a reason.
- This action escalates tensions between Israel and the UN.
- It occurs amid reports of Israeli troops firing on Palestinians at an aid delivery site.
Overall Sentiment: 🔴 Negative
AI Explanation
Israel has declined to renew the visa for Jonathan Whittall, a senior UN official responsible for humanitarian affairs in Gaza and the West Bank. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated the decision was due to Whittall's "biased and hostile conduct against Israel." This follows a similar situation with his predecessor. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated the refusal came after Whittall commented on Gazans being killed while seeking food at aid sites, asserting that reporting on ground conditions is central to OCHA's mandate and that attempts to silence them are intensifying. This refusal further strains relations between Israel and the UN, occurring as Israeli troops reportedly opened fire on Palestinians near a border crossing where aid trucks were entering Gaza.
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