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
The United Nations has launched a $53.2 billion appeal to fund humanitarian and recovery efforts in the occupied Palestinian territories over the next three years.
The funds will be used to provide food, water, shelter, health care, and education to millions of Palestinians who have been affected by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The UN said that the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories is the worst it has been in decades.
“The people of Palestine are facing a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions,” said Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
“They need our help now more than ever.”
The UN said that the funds will be used to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable Palestinians, as well as to support long-term recovery and development projects.
UN condemns UNRWA schools raid
The United Nations has condemned the Israeli raid on a UNRWA school in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
The raid took place on Tuesday, February 17, and saw Israeli forces fire tear gas and stun grenades inside the school.
The UN said that the raid was a violation of international law and that it put the lives of children at risk.
“This is a shocking and unacceptable attack on a UN school,” said Lynn Hastings, the UNRWA spokesperson.
“We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms.”
The UN demanded that Israel investigate the raid and hold those responsible accountable.
Lebanon-Israel tensions continue
Tensions between Lebanon and Israel remain high following a series of cross-border incidents in recent weeks.
On Monday, February 16, an Israeli drone was shot down over Lebanon.
The Israeli military said that the drone was on a reconnaissance mission and that it was shot down by Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group.
Hezbollah denied responsibility for shooting down the drone.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel over the disputed maritime border between the two countries.
The Lebanese government has accused Israel of encroaching on its territorial waters and has threatened to take action to defend its sovereignty.
The Israeli government has said that it will not hesitate to defend its interests in the maritime border area.
The tensions between Lebanon and Israel are a reminder of the fragility of the ceasefire that has been in place between the two countries since 2006.
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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.
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