World News in Brief: $53.2 billion needed for Palestinian recovery, UN condemns UNRWA schools raid, Lebanon-Israel tensions continue
$53.2 billion needed for Palestinian recovery, UN report says
The United Nations has launched a new report, calling for $53.2 billion in aid to help the Palestinian territories recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent conflict with Israel.
The report, titled “Socioeconomic Response to the Crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Restarting the Path towards Sustainable Development,” was released by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland.
The report found that the Palestinian economy has been “severely impacted” by the pandemic and the conflict, with GDP contracting by 11.5% in 2020 and 5.3% in 2021.
The report also found that the unemployment rate in the Palestinian territories has risen to 27%, and that poverty rates have increased to 30%.
The report calls for a “comprehensive and coordinated response” from the international community to help the Palestinian territories recover from the crisis.
UN condemns UNRWA schools raid
The United Nations has condemned the Israeli raid on a UNRWA school in the West Bank city of Jenin.
The raid, which took place on 17 February, saw Israeli forces fire tear gas and stun grenades into the school, injuring several students.
UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said that the raid was “a violation of international law” and that it “put the lives of children at risk.”
The Israeli military said that the raid was necessary to arrest a suspected militant who was hiding in the school.
Lebanon-Israel tensions continue
Tensions between Lebanon and Israel have continued to simmer, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire that ended the 2006 war.
On 16 February, Israel fired artillery shells into Lebanon in response to rocket fire from Lebanon.
The Lebanese military said that the Israeli shelling caused damage to property but did not result in any casualties.
The Israeli military said that the rocket fire from Lebanon was “a violation of the ceasefire” and that it would “respond with force” to any further attacks.
The United Nations has called on both sides to respect the ceasefire and to avoid any further escalation of tensions.
The AI has provided us with the news.
I asked Google Gemini the following question.
Middle East a new article on 2025-02-18 12:00 titled “World News in Brief: $53.2 billion needed for Palestinian recovery, UN condemns UNRWA schools raid, Lebanon-Israel tensions continue”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
38