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The State of Qatar participated in a ministerial roundtable meeting on healthcare in the Gaza Strip, hosted by the United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.The State of Qatar was represented by His Excellency Minister of Public Health Mansour bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud.His Excellency stressed that the humanitarian catastrophe facing civilians in the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli aggression constitutes war crimes, emphasizing that the world cannot remain silent in the face of this tragedy.His Excellency called for immediate action to stop the aggression, save lives, and protect health facilities and their workers.His Excellency also highlighted the role played by the State of Qatar, its leadership and people, in standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the State of Palestine as a whole, and its commitment to assisting them. He also noted that Qatar continues its efforts to find a just solution despite the treacherous attack launched by Israel against the State of Qatar in a desperate attempt to undermine any hope for peace and an end to the war.During the roundtable meeting, participants heard firsthand testimonies from doctors and healthcare workers who worked in the Gaza Strip, who provided vivid accounts of the tragedies they experienced there.The roundtable was attended by the British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, HE Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Dr. Younes Al-Khatib.His Excellency Minister of Public Health also participated in a number of events accompanying the meetings of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, including the event 'One Vision, One Future: Rallying Global Momentum on NCDs for Generations to Come,' organized by the Sultanate of Oman, 'The Political Economy of Implementing Primary Health Care: Key Policy Shifts,' organized by the Republic of Kazakhstan, and "A Global Movement to Improve Survival and Reduce Suffering for Children with Cancer and other Catastrophic Diseases,' organized by the Republic of Uzbekistan and the World Health Organization, in addition to other entities.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday slammed impunity in the face of the "horror" unfolding in Gaza, calling on those with power to stop the "21st-century atrocity."In recent weeks Israel has launched a major air and ground offensive on Gaza City in a bid to root out Hamas, exacerbating already dire humanitarian conditions there."So we gather once again to share our testimony and our shame, to try to find words to convey the horror... to repeat that something must be done and, I fear, to accept that nothing will," Fletcher said at an event organised by Jordan and Belgium on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly."A child has been killed on average every hour for almost two years in Gaza, the lucky children sleep in tents" while schools "have become sites of horror, depriving over 700,000 children of their right to education," Fletcher said.Children have suffered a particularly acute toll in Gaza since Israel launched its full-scale campaign in retaliation for the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023."We are told again and again that this is a price a population somehow has to pay for war," Fletcher said."Lawyers and historians will argue long and hard what to call this, and despite bans on international journalists, they will have immense amounts of evidence to consider justice."But until then "our words will not reach... those scraping through the rubble for food (or) enduring amputations without anesthetic.""I fear that we will gather again to solemnly intone the death toll, to try to find new words to express the horror, to call again for action, but how many more must die, and what further damage will we have done to our shared humanity?" Fletcher added.The US-backed Israeli offensive has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee Gaza City, the territory's largest urban center.The offensive came as a United Nations probe accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza.Large parts of Gaza have been laid to waste, and last month a body backed by the United Nations officially declared famine in part of the territory.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit discussed with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip caused by Israel's ongoing war against civilians, and its negative repercussions on diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire and ending the conflict.According to a statement issued by the Arab League, both sides underlined the importance of the upcoming conference on implementing the two-state solution, scheduled to be held in New York on Monday.They also emphasized the need to advance the principles of the New York Declaration, issued last July, as a serious and practical framework for ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders. In this context, Aboul Gheit welcomed the growing number of international recognitions of the State of Palestine, stressing that they provide increasing momentum toward a peaceful settlement based on the two-state solution.The talks further reviewed developments in Sudan and Syria, in addition to a range of regional and international issues of common concern.

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced that it will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to review the serious humanitarian and human rights repercussions of the unlawful Israeli attack on the State of Qatar on Sep. 9. The attack is considered a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and international humanitarian law, as well as a threat to the security, safety, and stability of the region. In a statement, the Commission said that, based on the strong condemnation of the brutal attack by OIC Member States and in line with the outcomes of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Doha on Sep. 15, 2025, the emergency meeting will focus on the human rights and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis. It will assess the situation on the ground and issue urgent recommendations that serve the interests of OIC Member States. The IPHRC reaffirmed its commitment to working with all Member States and relevant stakeholders to uphold the fundamental rights of civilians and to ensure accountability for the flagrant violations of international law.

The State of Qatar has signed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, which has been endorsed by more than 100 countries, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York.The declaration was signed on behalf of the State of Qatar by Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad.The declaration aims to strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law and to provide greater protection for humanitarian personnel working in conflict zones worldwide.

Jordanian Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, currently visiting the United States, met with US State Department Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance and Humanitarian Affairs Jeremy Lewin.During the meeting, they discussed efforts to restore comprehensive calm and achieve peace in the region, as well as the importance of supporting Syria and Lebanon's efforts to preserve their stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warned that the number of people facing catastrophic hunger in Gaza could exceed more than half a million this month, fearing the number could exceed to 640,000 by the end of the month. In a press conference, Fletcher stressed that the current famine is preventable and predictable. He noted the UN and its partners are capable of saving lives on a large scale in the Strip if they are allowed to do so, as they did during the ceasefire earlier this year. He explained that the plan to end the famine in Gaza is simple: "a ceasefire, hundreds of trucks a day, full access, safe routes, end the bureaucratic delays, restore power and water, and allow commercial traffic." None of that — none of that — is complicated." Fletcher said the crisis in Gaza is occurring amid "the rules of war being corroded day by day," adding, "We've heard Israeli ministers talking openly about flattening Gaza and forcing people out permanently, bombing food aid, and so on."

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Dr. Adam Abdelmoula affirmed that nearly 16.5 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian aid, alongside 2.5 million returnees-both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees returning from abroad-many of whom have lost their homes. Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted Abdelmoula as saying at a press conference ahead of the conclusion of his mission that displacement remains one of Syria's gravest challenges, with over 6 million people still internally displaced and more than 6 million living as refugees worldwide. He added that about 24% of housing in Syria has been damaged or destroyed in recent years, while UN funding for humanitarian needs remains "extremely scarce." To date, the Humanitarian Response Plan 2025 has received only 14% of the $3.2 billion required, he said.

The Israeli occupation army ordered residents of Gaza City in the northern part of the Strip, to evacuate immediately and head south via Al-Rashid Street, announcing also plans to launch a large-scale offensive in the area, marking a dangerous escalation that further exacerbates humanitarian concerns. The announcement coincided with ongoing artillery shelling across various areas of the Gaza Strip. Early this morning, Israeli artillery targeted central Khan Yunis in the southern part of the Strip. Additionally, Israeli drones opened fire on Palestinian homes, while occupation forces continued to demolish residential blocks and homes in northern and central Gaza, leaving widespread destruction in the targeted neighborhoods. In a related development, several Palestinians were injured in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment near Al-Qouqa roundabout in Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Earlier, medical sources reported that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, has risen to 64,455, the majority of whom are women and children. The number of wounded has reached 162,776, while many victims remain trapped under the rubble or in the streets, as ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them.

HE the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi has lauded the Arab League Council of Ministers' unanimous approval of the State of Qatar's proposal to establish the Permanent Arab Committee for International Humanitarian Law.This move represents an Arab milestone and a significant advancement in boosting cooperation to promote the values of humanitarian law and compliance with the tenets of international humanitarian law in the Arab region amid the challenges besetting the region, HE Al Mohannadi underlined.He lavished praise on the efforts made by the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law, chaired by HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law Saeed bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, along with its success in the productive coordination with national committees in the sisterly Arab nations to develop a draft proposal for establishing the committee in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Arab states.Having praised the support given by the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the Legal Affairs Sector to adopt this draft proposal, HE Al Mohannadi stated that Qatar's proposal in this respect underscores its enduring commitment to essentially respect the tenets of international humanitarian law, promote the provisions of this law on the Arab stage, as well as the efforts aimed at enforcing it at multiple national levels, in accordance with the provisions of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977, and the regional action plans of the relevant Arab national committees.For his part, HE Al Suwaidi hailed the approval of Qatar's proposal, emphasizing that the national committee took the initiative with this proposal, stemming from the State of Qatar's belief and its unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law embodied by the nation's leading initiatives to craft national legislations and establish a national committee related to international humanitarian law.He extended his gratitude to national committees in the Arab countries and the Arab League's Legal Affairs Sector for their support, applauding their efforts to approve this proposal.This approval honestly ushers in a new era in the march of joint Arab action, as the committee operates under the supervision of the Arab League's council at the ministerial level to coordinate this action among the national committees in the area of international humanitarian law as the competent apparatus in connection with the topics of international humanitarian law at the Arab League, Al Suwaidi underlined.He pointed out that the committee ought to contribute to beefing up collaboration among the Arab national committees, spreading the culture of international humanitarian law, capitalizing on diverse experiences, and setting technical support plans and programs, as well as holding professional training sessions, seminars, and workshops in collaboration with the relevant regional committees and organisations.

The Council of the League of Arab States condemned the targeting of workers, facilities, and equipment of international organizations operating in relief and humanitarian fields, including attacks on UNRWA buildings, holding the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for these crimes, which reflect their approach in dealing with UN personnel and those working in global relief, humanitarian, and medical sectors. Regarding the Syrian state, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed its support for the just demand and right of the Syrian Arab Republic to regain the entirety of the occupied Syrian Arab Golan up to the Jun. 4, 1967 line, on the basis of the peace process grounded in UN Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1974), and 497 (1981), the principle of land for peace, and building on what was achieved within the framework of the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference. The Council also reiterated that the continued occupation of the Syrian Arab Golan since 1967 constitutes an ongoing threat to peace and security in the region and the world, and reaffirmed adherence to international legitimacy, particularly successive UN General Assembly resolutions on the Occupied Syrian Golan, all of which affirm the applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War to the occupied Syrian Arab Golan. It considered Israel's imposition, being the occupying power, of its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the Golan null and void, with no legal effect whatsoever. The participants condemned Israel's incursion, as the occupying power, into Syrian territory within the buffer zone with the Syrian Arab Republic and across a chain of adjacent sites on Mount Hermon, as well as additional areas in Quneitra and Rural Damascus Governorates and in Daraa Governorate, which amounts to further occupation of Syrian lands in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel, and a clear breach of the UN Charter and Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), and 497 (1981). The Council affirmed that the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between the Syrian Arab Republic and Israel, the occupying power, remains in force pursuant to Security Council Resolution 350 (1974) and under the rules of international law, and as a result the agreement should be left unaffected by Syria's political changes. It stressed the importance of the continued role of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), the need to expose Israeli violations, and the obligation of the parties to fully comply with all provisions of the agreement until Israel's complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Arab Golan. It called on the United Nations to carry out its tasks under this agreement and to act immediately to halt Israeli breaches of its terms. The Council condemned Israeli practices in the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, including the seizure and confiscation of agricultural lands; the plunder of natural resources, including subsoil wealth such as oil exploration and extraction for the benefit of Israel's economy, and the depletion of water resources by drilling wells, building dams, drawing lake waters, and diverting them for settlers' benefit, thereby depriving Syrian farmers of key water sources for irrigating crops and watering livestock. It affirmed that these resources are the exclusive property of the people of the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, as established by charters, agreements, and international legitimacy resolutions. The Council affirmed the Arab position of full solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic and the Lebanese Republic, and standing with them in the face of Israel's ongoing aggressions and threats, considering any attack on them an attack on the Arab nation. It called on the administration of President Donald Trump to rescind the decision taken on March 25, 2019, recognizing Israel's sovereignty, as the occupying power, over the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, deeming it null and void in form and substance and a serious violation of the UN Charter, which does not recognize the acquisition of others' land by force, and of unanimous Security Council resolutions, foremost among them 242 (1967), 338 (1974), and 497 (1981), all of which clearly indicate non-recognition of Israel's annexation of the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, and which view it as a violation of the principles of international law that undermines efforts to achieve the comprehensive peace sought by the region's states and peoples.Regarding the Lebanese state, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed support for the Lebanese government's decision to confine arms exclusively to the Lebanese Army and security forces, and nowhere else, across all Lebanese territory before the end of the current year 2025, and to withdraw weapons from all Lebanese and non-Lebanese armed groups and hand them over to the Lebanese Army, based on the Taif Agreement and the relevant international resolutions. This is also in implementation of what was stated in the inaugural address of the President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun, and the government's ministerial statement, and it welcomed the start of the process of handing over Palestinian weapons in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon to the Lebanese authorities pursuant to the agreement concluded with the President of the Republic. The Council emphasized its support for the Lebanese state in imposing its sovereignty and control over the entirety of Lebanese territory and in consolidating lasting stability and security for the Lebanese people, and rejected any external interference in Lebanon's sovereign decisions concerning the exclusivity of arms with the Lebanese state.The Council affirmed Arab support for the financial, judicial, economic, and administrative reform path launched by the Lebanese government, welcomed the series of reform laws approved by the Lebanese Parliament as part of necessary reforms; and welcomed the establishment of many new regulatory authorities for key sectors to activate the work of government institutions and all sectors, propelling the country toward recovery and restoring the confidence of the international community. It affirmed support for Lebanon's constitutional institutions in exercising their powers in a manner that strengthens national unity, and a commitment to provide support to Lebanon to confront the economic, financial, and monetary challenges it is facing and their potentially grave repercussions on stability and social security, helping it regain its vitality and meet the Lebanese people's aspirations for a more secure, prosperous, and stable future.The Council strongly condemned Israel's ongoing aggression against Lebanon and its targeting of civilians, its continued and escalating violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and the inviolability of its territory, its occupation of Lebanese land, and its breach of its obligations under the declaration to cease hostilities that entered into force on Nov. 27, 2024. It supported Lebanon's position calling for the full and comprehensive implementation, without fragmentation or selectivity, of Security Council Resolution 1701, and a return to compliance with the provisions of the General Armistice Agreement between Lebanon and Israel signed under UN supervision on Mar. 23, 1949. It also supported the Lebanese state's political and diplomatic efforts with the international community to pressure Israel to withdraw immediately, fully, and unconditionally from all Lebanese territories it occupies.Regarding maritime navigation, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters in accordance with established rules of international law and the Law of the Sea conventions. It called for ensuring the security and safety of maritime navigation in the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea, and for safeguarding energy supply routes.The Council condemned all actions targeting the security and safety of navigation, offshore facilities, energy supplies, oil pipelines, and petroleum installations in the Arabian Gulf and other waterways, describing them as actions that threaten the security of Arab states, undermine Arab national security, and harm international peace and security.It affirmed the necessity of confronting existing threats to freedom of international commercial navigation and maritime transport within the framework of established international laws and rules—particularly those arising from the actions of non-state entities and terrorist movements—as they pose an unacceptable threat to global trade and to international peace and security. It emphasized the importance of all states' solidarity in preserving the security and freedom of lawful maritime navigation on the high seas and in vital straits.The Council condemned the attacks targeting oil tankers and commercial ships in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, including the May 12, 2019, attack on two Saudi oil tankers, a Norwegian oil tanker, and a UAE cargo ship within the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates; the Jun. 13, 2019 attack on two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman, one flying the Panamanian flag and the other the Marshall Islands flag, the Jul. 29, 2021 attack on the Mercer Street tanker; the Aug. 4, 2021 attempted hijacking of the Asphalt Princess; and the Apr. 13, 2024 seizure of the container ship MSC Aries, considering them criminal acts that threaten the security and safety of international maritime navigation and commercial shipping.The Council warned that the continued threats by the Houthi militias to maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait require a response by the international community in accordance with relevant rules of international law. It affirmed its condemnation of the May 14, 2019, attack by the terrorist Houthi militias using explosive-laden drones on two oil pumping stations in the cities of Al Dawadmi and Afif in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which targeted global oil supplies.The Council also condemned the detention by the Iranian authorities of ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf, in clear violation of international law, and called on Iran to refrain from such hostile acts, to adhere to international law, and to respect freedom of maritime navigation.The Council further condemned and denounced the actions of the naval forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in redeploying military forces on the three occupied Emirati islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa on May 12, 2025; in conducting combat exercises on the three occupied Emirati islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa on Sep. 6, 2024; and in launching naval maneuvers and carrying out combat drills from the occupied Abu Musa Island of the United Arab Emirates on Jun. 20, 2024; as well as deploying missile-equipped vessels in the Arabian Gulf. It considered these steps an escalation that increases the risk of threats to the security of navigation, energy supply routes, and international trade, and that contradicts regional efforts toward de-escalation and rebuilding relations in ways that enhance channels of communication, dialogue, and commitment to joint action for the stability and prosperity of the region.The Council condemned the terrorist and subversive attack on Sep. 14, 2019 against Saudi Aramco's oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using drones and cruise missiles, deeming it a dangerous escalation aimed at destabilizing the Kingdom and the region and threatening global energy supplies and the world economy.Regarding the situation in Sudan, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed solidarity with the Republic of the Sudan and the brotherly Sudanese people in their efforts to safeguard their capabilities, protect their territory and vital infrastructure, maintain sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, reject interference in their affairs, and bolster efforts to preserve national institutions and prevent their collapse by forming an independent civilian government. It rejected any steps or entities that would threaten Sudan's safety and territorial unity and exacerbate the humanitarian situation.The Council recalled the need for the immediate implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2736 and relevant UN resolutions, and expressed deep concern over the growing phenomenon of mercenarism and the spread of mercenaries fighting in Sudan, emphasizing that this phenomenon poses a threat to Sudan's security and stability and to Arab national security. It stressed that Sudan's security is an integral part of Arab national security and affirmed the importance of the League of Arab States' role in defending the unity, safety, and stability of all member states.The Council called on member states and relevant Arab organizations to provide urgent humanitarian support to Sudan and its people; to rehabilitate damaged facilities; and to increase regional and international responsiveness in ways that strengthen Sudan's resilience against any threats to its unity and help it overcome the catastrophic effects afflicting the Sudanese people. It praised the efforts of the Secretary-General of the League in intensifying coordination between Sudan and all organs and institutions of joint Arab action, and requested that the Secretary-General continue his role with all relevant parties to ensure Sudan's ability to overcome the current situation, based on relevant Arab and international resolutions.The Council also called for a ceasefire in accordance with the Jeddah Declaration, and to consider the possibility of calling for the resumption of the Jeddah (3) track to reach sustainable, peaceful solutions. It called on the Arab Contact Group, comprising the foreign ministers of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Secretary-General, to continue their good offices and efforts to reach solutions that meet the Sudanese aspirations for stability and development, affirming that the Sudanese people are the decision-maker regarding their country's future.Regarding Somalia, the Council of the League of Arab States affirms support for the security, stability, unity, and sovereignty of Somalia and the integrity of its territory; support for the Somali government in its efforts to preserve Somali sovereignty by land, sea, and air; affirmation of the right of the Federal Republic of Somalia to lawful defense of its territory as stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter and relevant articles of the Charter of the League of Arab States; support for any measures it decides to take to confront attempts to aggress against it within the framework of international legitimacy; and affirmation of the firm Arab position of absolute rejection of any acts that undermine or violate the sovereignty of the Somali state.Regarding the water security of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of the Sudan, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed that the water security of both countries is an integral part of Arab national security, and rejected any act or measure that infringes upon their rights to the Nile waters.The Council also expressed deep concern over the continued unilateral measures to fill and operate the Ethiopian dam, measures that contravene applicable rules of international law, especially the Declaration of Principles concluded between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia in Khartoum on Mar. 23, 2015.The Council likewise expressed grave concern over Ethiopian intransigence that led to the end of all negotiation tracks concerning the Ethiopian dam without reaching a fair, balanced, and legally binding agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam that achieves the shared interests of the three countries and preserves the water rights of Egypt and Sudan, due to Ethiopia's hardline positions that disregard the water interests of the downstream states, Egypt and Sudan, and the rules of international law. It stressed rejection of Ethiopia organizing a ceremony to inaugurate the dam and rejection of participation in it, considering it an attempt to confer legitimacy on a dam built by Ethiopia without adherence to international law.

A senior Israeli military official said Wednesday that authorities estimated that an imminent offensive in the Gaza Strip would displace one million Palestinians, planning a new "humanitarian area" for them.The vast majority of Gaza's more than 2mn people have been displaced at least once during nearly two years of war.The Israeli military has been gearing up to seize Gaza City, the Palestinian territory's largest urban centre, with the United Nations estimating that nearly a million people live in and around the northern city.A senior official from COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body that oversees civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, said that in recent days, "we saw a movement of people from the north to the south.""Until now, approximately 70,000" Gazans left the north, the official said, briefing journalists on condition of anonymity.Without giving a specific timeframe, the official said Israeli authorities expected "a million people" to flee south.The Israeli official said that "we want to identify a humanitarian area" which would be formally announced in the coming days.The area would extend from a cluster of refugee camps in central Gaza to the southern area of Al-Mawasi and eastwards.Israel had designated the coastal area of Al-Mawasi a humanitarian zone in the early days of the war, but has repeatedly struck it since.In mid-August, UN human rights office spokesman Thameen al-Kheetan said Palestinians in Al-Mawasi had "little or no access to essential services and supplies, including food, water, electricity and tents".A statement from COGAT last week announced a raft of preparations for "moving the population southward for their protection", including a new water line from Egypt to Al-Mawasi, repair works on Israeli water lines, and the connection of a power line to a southern desalination plant.COGAT also said work had begun to reopen the European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis, which has been closed for several weeks.