United News of Bangladesh

The United States and the European Union reached a tariff deal Sunday after a brief meeting between President Donald Trump and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. A White House deadline was days away for imposing punishing import taxes on the 27-member EU, which is America’s leading global trading partner. “It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it’s going to be great for both parties,” Trump said. The make-or-break talks were meant to head off trade penalties — and promised retaliation from Europe — that could have sent shock waves through economies around the globe. Trump and von der Leyen held private talks at one of Trump’s golf courses in Scotland, then emerged a short time later saying they had reached an “across the board” agreement. In remarks before the session, Trump pledged to change what he characterized as “a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States.” “I think the main sticking point is fairness,” he said while also noting, “We’ve had a hard time with trade with Europe, a very hard time.” Von der Leyen had said the U.S. and EU combined have the world’s largest trade volume, encompassing hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars. Trump said the stakes involved meant of making a deal, “We should give it a shot.” Von der Leyen said Trump was “known as a tough negotiator and dealmaker” which caused the president to interject with ”but fair.” She said that, if they are successful, “I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.” For months, Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in hopes of shrinking major U.S. trade deficits with many key trading partners. More recently, he had hinted that any deal with the EU would have to “buy down” the currently scheduled tariff rate of 30%. The Republican president pointed to a recent U.S. agreement with Japan that set tariff rates for many goods at 15% and suggested the EU could agree to something similar. Asked if he would be willing to accept tariff rates lower than that, Trump said “no.” As for the threat of retaliation from the Europeans, he said: “They’ll do what they have to do.” Their meeting came after Trump played golfed for the second straight day at his Turnberry course, this time with a group that included sons Eric and Donald Jr. The president’s five-day visit to Scotland is built around golf and promoting properties bearing his name. A small group of demonstrators at the course waved American flags and raised a sign criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who plans his own Turnberry meeting with Trump on Monday. Other voices could be heard cheering and chanting “Trump! Trump!” as he played nearby. On Tuesday, Trump will be in Aberdeen, in northeastern Scotland, where his family has another golf course and is opening a third next month. The president and his sons plan to help cut the ribbon on the new course. Joining von der Leyen were Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s chief trade negotiator; Björn Seibert, the head of von der Leyen’s Cabinet; Sabine Weyand, the commission’s directorate-general for trade, and Tomas Baert, head of the trade and agriculture at the EU’s delegation to the U.S. The deadline for the Trump administration to begin imposing tariffs has shifted in recent weeks but was now firm, the administration insisted. “No extensions, no more grace periods. Aug. 1, the tariffs are set, they’ll go into place, Customs will start collecting the money and off we go,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told “Fox News Sunday.” He added, however, that even after that “people can still talk to President Trump. I mean, he’s always willing to listen.” Without an agreement, the EU said it was prepared to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, ranging from beef and auto parts to beer and Boeing airplanes. If Trump eventually made good on his threat of tariffs against Europe, it could meant that everything from French cheese and Italian leather goods to German electronics and Spanish pharmaceuticals would be more expensive in the United States. The U.S. and Britain, meanwhile, announced a trade framework in May and a larger agreement last month during the Group of Seven meeting in Canada. Trump says that deal is concluded and that he and Starmer will discuss other matters — though the White House has suggested it still needs some polishing.

A deadly attack by Islamic State-affiliated rebels on a church compound in eastern Congo early Sunday has left at least 21 people dead, according to a local civil society representative. The assault, carried out by members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) around 1 a.m., took place on the grounds of a Catholic church in the town of Komanda. In addition to the killings, several homes and shops were set on fire. "Over 21 people were shot dead both inside and outside the premises, and we’ve also found at least three burned bodies and numerous homes destroyed," said Dieudonne Duranthabo, a local civil society coordinator, speaking to The Associated Press. He added that search efforts are still ongoing. The Congolese military spokesperson in Ituri province, where Komanda is located, confirmed that at least 10 people were killed in the incident.

Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee as violent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia continued for a third day on Saturday, pushing the death toll to 32 and sparking concerns of a prolonged conflict. The U.N. Security Council held an emergency closed-door session Friday night in New York, while Malaysia — which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — urged both sides to halt hostilities and offered to mediate. Although no formal statement was issued, a diplomat familiar with the meeting said all 15 Security Council members urged restraint and called for a peaceful resolution. The Council also supported ASEAN’s role in helping end the border violence. Cambodia’s U.N. Ambassador Chhea Keo told reporters that his government was seeking an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and emphasized peaceful negotiations. In response to claims that Cambodia initiated the attacks, he questioned how a small country without an air force could possibly attack a larger and more powerful military like Thailand’s. UN Calls for Calm as Casualties MountKeo said the Security Council encouraged both nations to exercise maximum restraint, aligning with Cambodia’s own stance. Thailand’s U.N. representative did not speak to reporters after the meeting. According to Thailand’s Health Ministry, over 58,000 people have fled to emergency shelters in four border provinces. Cambodian authorities reported evacuating more than 23,000 people from affected areas on their side. Thailand has reported 19 deaths, mostly civilians, while Cambodia raised its own toll to 13 on Saturday. Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accused Cambodia of war crimes, citing civilian casualties and damage to a hospital. He insisted that Thailand had shown “extreme restraint” in response to provocations. Land Mine Blast Sparks Fresh FightingThe recent escalation began Wednesday when a land mine explosion injured five Thai soldiers along the disputed border. By early Friday, fighting erupted in several locations, including near the contested Ta Muen Thom temple. The Thai military said Cambodian forces fired heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rockets. Thailand responded with what it called proportionate defensive fire. The Thai army reported six soldiers and 13 civilians killed, with dozens more wounded. Cambodia said seven civilians and five soldiers were also killed in the recent clashes. Cambodia’s Education Ministry said two Thai rockets hit a school in Oddar Meanchey province Friday, though no injuries were reported. All schools in the province were closed as a precaution. Thailand denied targeting civilian areas and accused Cambodia of placing weapons near populated zones to use civilians as shields. Civilians Flee as Violence SpreadsWith hostilities intensifying, residents on both sides of the border have been evacuating in large numbers. In Surin, Thailand, about 600 evacuees gathered in a university gymnasium, resting on mats and waiting for food and water. Seamstress Pornpan Sooksai, who fled with her cats, described hearing sudden explosions while doing laundry near the border. Another evacuee, Rattana Meeying, said the violence was worse than the 2011 border clashes. “I never imagined it would be this violent,” she said. In nearby provinces, windows were shattered at hospitals and injured soldiers arrived by truck. Thousands more residents packed belongings onto motorbikes and trucks as evacuation orders were issued. Across the border in Cambodia, villages near Oddar Meanchey stood empty, with many residents building makeshift bunkers or sheltering at remote temples. Some families fled in homemade tractors, while others, especially older men, refused to leave. At one temple-turned-shelter, villagers rested in hammocks or under plastic tents, surrounded by rice fields. “I want both governments to negotiate,” said 74-year-old farmer Veng Chin. “I want to go back to my home and my farm.” ASEAN Urges Ceasefire, Offers MediationThough ASEAN members rarely engage in direct armed conflict, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared intermittently, and Thailand has had previous skirmishes with neighboring Myanmar. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said both governments had agreed in principle to a ceasefire and troop withdrawal but requested more time to implement it. He said he had spoken with both Thai and Cambodian leaders and offered Malaysia’s support for mediation. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also appealed for restraint and emphasized resolving the dispute through diplomacy. Longstanding Border Dispute ReignitesThe 800-kilometer (500-mile) border between Thailand and Cambodia has long been disputed, but past confrontations have typically been short-lived. The last major flare-up in 2011 left 20 people dead. The current conflict began in May when a Cambodian soldier died during a confrontation, worsening diplomatic tensions. After a land mine injured Thai troops earlier this week, Thailand shut the border and expelled Cambodia’s ambassador, sparking renewed violence along the frontier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that his government is exploring "alternative options" to the ongoing ceasefire discussions with Hamas. This comes after both Israel and the U.S. withdrew their negotiation teams, increasing doubts about the talks’ future. Netanyahu’s comments followed statements by a Hamas official who claimed talks would resume next week, suggesting that the delegations’ withdrawal was merely a tactic to increase pressure. Egypt and Qatar, the main mediators along with the U.S., also stated the pause was temporary but gave no date for when discussions would continue. On Thursday, the delegations exited Qatar as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff criticized Hamas' latest response as lacking genuine commitment to a truce. He indicated the U.S. was also reviewing "alternative options," without specifying details. Echoing Witkoff’s remarks, Netanyahu accused Hamas of blocking a hostage deal and stated, “Together with our American partners, we’re considering alternative strategies to bring the hostages home, end Hamas’s rule of terror, and secure lasting peace for Israel and the region.” The Israeli government has not confirmed if talks will resume next week. Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Talks Stall Efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remain stalled, as conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Experts warn the region is nearing famine after Israel’s months-long blockade, allowing only limited food supplies. Reports this month show a surge in deaths linked to malnutrition. Over two dozen Western-aligned nations and more than 100 humanitarian organizations have demanded an end to the conflict, criticizing Israel's blockade and a new system for aid delivery. Some groups say their own workers are struggling to access enough food. French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France will recognize Palestine as a state, urging an immediate halt to the conflict to save civilian lives. Meanwhile, Jordan has sought permission to air-drop essential supplies into Gaza, including food and baby formula. Israeli and Jordanian officials said the Israeli military is coordinating the planned drops, which are expected soon. In Gaza City, desperate residents queued at a charity kitchen for watery lentil soup—one of the few remaining sources of food. The number of meals provided by such kitchens has dropped drastically from over a million daily in April to just 160,000, according to the U.N. “We haven’t had bread in three months,” said Riham Dwas, a woman waiting in line. “We survive on lentils from the charity kitchens, and sometimes we don’t even have that.” When there’s no food, she takes her children to the hospital for IV drips. Airstrike Kills Civilians at Shelter School An Israeli airstrike hit a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City on Friday, killing at least five people, including an 11-year-old boy, hospital officials reported. Mourners later carried the victims’ bodies from Shifa Hospital as grieving women cried and shouted. Taraji Adwan, who lost both her son and grandson in the attack, screamed in anguish, “Enough! End this war! Our children are dying from hunger, strikes, fear, and destruction. Enough, Hamas! Enough, Israel! Enough, world!” The Gaza Health Ministry stated that about 80 people have been killed since Thursday night, mostly in airstrikes, with nine deaths occurring during aid distribution. Core Disagreements Continue to Stall Talks Hamas official Bassem Naim said the Israeli team had left for consultations and was expected back next week to continue negotiations. He claimed progress had been made, noting that many issues—such as the sequencing of a ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery—were nearly resolved. Egypt and Qatar also released a joint statement acknowledging progress and noting that it was common to pause negotiations for consultations. Despite weeks of talks in Qatar, breakthroughs have been elusive. A key point of contention is whether Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza after a truce is reached. The proposed agreement includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release 10 hostages alive and return the bodies of 18 others in stages. In exchange, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners and allow more aid into Gaza. Discussions on a permanent truce would follow. However, deep divisions remain: Hamas insists it will only release all hostages if Israel agrees to end the war and withdraw fully. Israel, in turn, demands that Hamas relinquish power and disarm—something Hamas refuses, though it has said it is willing to give up governance. Hamas is believed to be holding the remaining hostages in scattered locations, including tunnels. The group has reportedly ordered their guards to kill the hostages if Israeli forces attempt a rescue. Roughly 50 hostages remain in Gaza, though fewer than half are believed to be alive. Their families are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress. “I had hope when I heard the Israeli negotiation team went to Doha,” said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among the hostages. “But now they’re back. I just wonder—when will this nightmare finally end?”

“Home to 80 per cent of the world’s poorest people, the path to a sustainable future runs through rural areas. They remain rich in untapped potential - and inclusive rural transformation will therefore supercharge global development across all other dimensions,” said Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) ahead of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Ministerial Meeting starting on Friday. At a time when development budgets are shrinking, creating rural jobs through investment to improve food systems and agricultural value chains in the world’s developing countries has proven to be effective at lifting people out of poverty. Every dollar invested in transforming food systems can yield up to US$16 in social and environmental benefits. Small farms in rural areas can become a motor for economic growth if they have access to the financing, materials, technology, and markets they need to thrive instead of just survive. “IFAD consistently advocates for small-scale producers and inclusive food systems at the G20 because investing in rural prosperity also drives resilience to climate change, reduces inequality, and reduces hunger,” said Lario. The G20 Development Working Group (G20 DWG) brings together member countries and international organizations to chart a path for global development challenges and track progress on commitments. South Africa’s G20 Presidency—the first on the African continent—has been dedicated to putting development cooperation at the heart of the G20 agenda. IFAD approves US$70 mln for new climate-resilient agri project in Bangladesh The G20 DWG takes place at a time when progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is insufficient. The latest available data show that only 35 per cent of targets are on track or making moderate progress, while nearly half are moving too slowly and 18 per cent have regressed. With an annual estimated financing gap of up to US$4.5 trillion needed to achieve sustainable growth for all, financial innovation and partnerships are crucial to making sure that the gains achieved so far in health, education, energy, and digital connectivity do not slow to a halt.  IFAD President Lario will stress at the Ministerial meeting that fully leveraging the potential of national Public Development Banks (PDB), Multinational Development Banks (MDB), and international financial institutions like IFAD is one of the most effective ways to close this financing gap. For example, PDBs invest more than US$2.5 trillion annually, making them the backbone of the global financial architecture and of efforts to make food systems more sustainable, resilient and equitable.

The wreckage of a plane that crashed with 49 people on board has been located in Russia’s Far Eastern region, local emergency officials reported Thursday. According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, the aircraft’s “burning fuselage” was discovered, though no additional information was released. The An-24 passenger plane, operated by Angara Airlines and based in Siberia, was carrying 43 passengers—including five children—and six crew members. It was en route from Blagoveshchensk, near the Russian-Chinese border, to the town of Tynda, regional Governor Vasily Orlov said. Plane with 49 aboard vanishes from Radar in Russia's Far East The aircraft vanished from radar and lost communication with air traffic control just a few miles before reaching Tynda airport.  

A plane carrying 49 people has gone missing from radar over Russia’s Amur region in the Far East, local authorities reported on Thursday. According to regional Governor Vasily Orlov, the aircraft was en route from Blagoveshchensk, near the Chinese border, to the town of Tynda. On board were 43 passengers—including five children—and six crew members. Emergency services later located the wreckage of the missing Angara Airlines An-24 aircraft roughly 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Tynda, its intended destination. Officials said the plane disappeared from radar during its final approach to the airport, reports BBC. Governor Orlov confirmed that all available resources had been mobilized for the search. Soon after, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations announced that a civil aviation helicopter had spotted the plane's burning fuselage. Aircraft Crash: Chinese FM Wang Yi shocked at heavy casualties According to a report from the TASS news agency, the wreckage was found on a hillside, and rescue teams were en route to the site. The aircraft was completing the last leg of a journey that began in Khabarovsk, a city in southeastern Russia.  

Israel has received a new ceasefire proposal from Hamas, which an Israeli official described as “workable,” though no specific details were disclosed. The official, who spoke anonymously due to not being authorized to speak publicly, indicated that Israel is currently reviewing the offer. Hamas confirmed early Thursday that it had submitted a proposal to mediators. The proposal comes amid growing international concern, with over 100 humanitarian and rights organizations warning that Israel’s blockade and military operations are driving Gaza toward famine. Experts continue to warn of a potential famine in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has deepened due to Israel's blockade and the ongoing conflict that began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The new proposal was submitted as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to travel to Europe to meet with Middle Eastern leaders and discuss the potential ceasefire and hostage release efforts. Since the war began, over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and militants. The ministry states that more than half of those killed are women and children. Ceasefire Proposal Under Review An Israeli official involved in the negotiations said the Hamas proposal is being seriously considered, describing it as "workable." The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed receipt of the response but did not provide further details. Deadly Incident in the West Bank Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials reported that two teenagers were killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday night. The Israeli military said its troops opened fire on individuals throwing Molotov cocktails near the town of Al-Khader. The two teens were identified as Ahmed Al-Salah, 15, and Mohammed Khaled Alian Issa, 17. Violence in the West Bank has escalated sharply since the October 7 attack, with the UN reporting that over 955 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the area, many during raids Israel says target militants.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to access food in the war-torn Gaza Strip, most of them near humanitarian aid sites, the UN Human Rights Office reported Tuesday, as starvation and desperation deepen in the besieged territory. The latest toll underscores the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, home to over 2 million people, amid a near-total blockade and continued military assault by Israel. The violence around aid distributions has intensified, with lawlessness, looting, and growing crowds overwhelming distribution points. Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday alone claimed at least 25 more lives, according to Gaza health authorities. Mounting Toll of Hunger and ConflictThe UN says at least 1,054 Palestinians have died since late May while attempting to secure food, with 766 of those deaths occurring at or near sites managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed Israeli contractor. The remaining deaths occurred around UN-managed convoys or distribution points. Eyewitnesses and medics report that Israeli forces frequently fire on crowds seeking food. The Israeli military, however, claims it only fires warning shots, while GHF denies targeting civilians, stating that its contractors have occasionally fired into the air to prevent stampedes. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that at least 101 people, including 80 children, have died in recent days from starvation. Though these figures cannot be independently verified, aid groups say famine conditions are clearly present, with limited food, medicine, and water pushing Gaza into catastrophe. “This is a man-made disaster,” said Joseph Belliveau, executive director of MedGlobal, a humanitarian group working inside Gaza. “Children are dying because there isn’t enough food or medical supplies to save them.” The UN World Food Programme described the hunger crisis as having reached “astonishing levels of desperation,” with nearly 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and one-third of the population regularly going without food for days. Strikes Target Aid Seekers and Displaced FamiliesIsraeli strikes on Tuesday added to the death toll. In one incident, 12 people — including three children and three women — were killed when tents in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp were struck. Dozens more were injured. The Israeli military said it had no knowledge of such a strike. Elsewhere, an overnight airstrike targeted crowds waiting for aid trucks, killing eight and injuring at least 118, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and trampling as people scrambled for flour. “A bag of flour soaked in blood,” said Mohammad Issam, one of the survivors. “How long must we live like this?” International Outcry Over Israel’s Aid PoliciesA joint statement from 28 Western-aligned nations, including the UK and France, condemned Israel’s “drip feeding of aid” and accused it of depriving civilians of their dignity and survival. The statement criticized Israel’s handling of aid deliveries as dangerous and destabilizing. Israel, backed by the US, rejected the criticism, placing blame on Hamas for prolonging the war by refusing ceasefire terms and withholding hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped. Less than half of those hostages are believed to still be alive. Israel claims it has permitted thousands of aid trucks into Gaza but says delivery delays stem from mismanagement by humanitarian agencies. Aid groups insist the aid allowed in is nowhere near enough to meet urgent needs. Truce Talks and EscalationTalks aimed at reaching a new ceasefire continue to stall despite US pressure. Israel resumed its offensive in March following a brief pause in hostilities. It maintains that military operations will continue until Hamas is dismantled. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. Although the figures do not separate combatants from civilians, the ministry says more than half of the dead are women and children. These numbers are widely regarded as credible by the UN and other international observers. As Gaza’s humanitarian collapse deepens, aid workers, rights groups, and foreign governments are urging immediate and large-scale relief efforts — and a meaningful ceasefire — before more lives are lost to bullets and hunger alike.

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 20 people in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials said Tuesday, as Israeli forces intensified their ground operations in areas previously spared from major combat during the ongoing 21-month conflict. The renewed military push comes amid ongoing but stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a potential ceasefire that could pause hostilities and lead to the release of some hostages. Talks have dragged on for weeks with little progress, largely due to disagreements over a potential Israeli troop withdrawal from parts of Gaza. The Biden administration has been pressing Israel to bring the war to a close and has grown increasingly critical. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump was “caught off guard” by a recent Israeli strike that hit Gaza’s only Catholic church. That attack, which killed three people and wounded ten—including a priest known for his connection to the late Pope Francis—prompted condemnation from both Pope Leo XIV and Trump. Israel later said the strike was accidental and expressed regret. Tents Hit, Dozens Wounded in Gaza CityAmong the latest casualties, 12 people—including three women and three children—were killed when an Israeli airstrike struck tents housing displaced civilians in the densely populated Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, according to Shifa Hospital officials. Another 38 people were injured. Footage released by Gaza’s Health Ministry showed bodies lying on the ground and tents torn apart by the blast. In a separate overnight strike, at least eight people were killed and over 100 wounded while waiting for humanitarian aid on a coastal road in Gaza City. Witnesses said the crowd was hit twice by Israeli aircraft. Ahmed Mhana, who was among those waiting for aid, said, “We were standing in line, and suddenly the sky lit up—then the second strike came as people tried to flee.” The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incidents but maintains that Hamas bears responsibility for civilian deaths due to operating within populated areas. Israel has accused the group of extending the war by refusing ceasefire terms, including disarmament and surrendering control of Gaza. Heavy Fighting Reaches Deir al-BalahResidents of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza—an area previously spared from widespread destruction—reported intense shelling and airstrikes overnight. “It was nonstop,” said Ayman Abu Hassan, a local resident. “The ground was shaking like an earthquake.” Abu Hassan said he fled the southwestern part of the city, now under Israeli incursion, to seek refuge in the coastal Muwasi area. The Israeli military had ordered partial evacuations in Deir al-Balah earlier this week. Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis DeepenAccording to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began following Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 hostages taken. Fewer than half of the remaining 50 hostages are believed to be alive. The health ministry, which operates under Hamas but is regarded by the UN and other agencies as the primary source for casualty data, states that more than half the fatalities in Gaza are women and children. Church Leaders Condemn War After Rare Gaza VisitIn Jerusalem, top Christian leaders who recently visited Gaza described the territory as “almost totally destroyed” and called on the international community to intervene. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III said they saw widespread hunger and suffering during their visit. “Every hour without food, water, medicine, and shelter causes deep harm,” said Pizzaballa. “It is morally unacceptable and unjustifiable.” Israel continues to restrict the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and aid convoys that do enter often face chaos and violence at distribution sites.