Israel restricts UN operations that deliver aid to Gaza
Lawmakers in Israel passed a new law restricting the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, by banning it from carrying out services and activities inside Israeli territory. The law threatens the agency's work at a critical time, when the distribution of aid to Gaza has become more vital due to the growing humanitarian crisis.
UNRWA condemned the decision with a statement emphasizing that this issue is a global concern. Although the law does not go into effect immediately, it is expected to create obstacles in the distribution of aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, who depend on such aid for survival due to severe shortages of food, water and medicine.
The EU condemns the Israeli army's attack on UNIFIL in Lebanon
In a meeting held in Barcelona, ??the EU's high representative for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, condemned the attack by the Israeli army on the UN peacekeeping troops, UNIFIL, in Lebanon. He emphasized that it is important to mention that the attacks come from the Israeli army.
Israel has defended its military presence in southern Lebanon and strikes against Hezbollah positions as necessary for self-defense against threats from Iran-backed groups. Borrell also called for sanctions against Israeli officials and several ministers responsible for violent actions in the West Bank.
The President of Georgia calls for protest after contested elections
The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabišvili, said that she does not know the result of the parliamentary elections, which, according to the electoral commission, were won by the ruling party, "Georgian Dream". She accused Russia of manipulating the elections and called for protests in Tbilisi, describing the process as a "complete theft of the vote" of citizens.
The development is expected to lead to further political unrest in Georgia, a country that aspires to join the EU but faces challenges after passing a law that resembles Russian "foreign influence" laws.
Norway signs air defense agreement with US
Norway announced on Monday that it has signed an agreement to buy AIM-120C-8 air defense missiles from the US, worth more than NOK 4 billion. The Minister of Defense, Bjorn Arild Gram, emphasized that this reinforcement will help protect the country from air attacks.
In the context of tensions with Russia after the attack on Ukraine, Norway and the Nordic countries are increasing defense measures. The missiles can also be used for F35A aircraft, which Norway has recently activated.
