分类： world

A coalition of 53 international non-governmental organizations operating in occupied Palestinian territories has issued an urgent warning that Israel’s recent registration measures could paralyze humanitarian operations during Gaza’s most severe crisis. The organizations, including prominent groups like Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, and Oxfam, revealed that 37 NGOs received official notifications on December 30th indicating their registrations would expire immediately, triggering a two-month countdown to operational cessation across Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs justified the licensing suspensions by citing failures to meet “security and transparency requirements,” specifically mentioning organizations that declined to provide lists of Palestinian employees for terrorism screening. The NGOs collectively challenged this rationale, emphasizing their existing compliance with rigorous international standards including donor-mandated audits, counterterror financing controls, and due diligence protocols.

The humanitarian groups articulated profound ethical concerns about transferring sensitive employee data to conflict parties, noting such actions would violate fundamental humanitarian principles, duty of care obligations, and data protection standards. They highlighted the extreme risks facing aid workers, with over 500 humanitarian personnel killed since October 2023.

This regulatory confrontation occurs amid deteriorating environmental conditions in Gaza, where heavy rains and powerful winds have flooded and destroyed thousands of tents, exacerbating the already catastrophic living conditions. The Shelter Cluster reports more than 42,000 tents and makeshift shelters damaged between December 10-17 alone, affecting approximately 250,000 residents. Tragically, at least three children have died from exposure to cold weather since December, with 17 additional fatalities resulting from storm-related structural collapses.

Concurrently, eight Muslim-majority nations—Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, and Egypt—issued a joint statement expressing deep concern about the compounded humanitarian crisis. Their foreign ministers criticized the slow pace of essential material entry into Gaza and demanded Israel ensure unimpeded operation of UN agencies and international NGOs. The ministers urged the international community to pressure Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift constraints on aid distribution and open the Rafah Crossing for bidirectional access.

Hollywood actress and former UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie conducted a high-profile visit to the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing on Friday, January 2, 2026. The humanitarian mission brought the acclaimed actress to the critical transit point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, where she engaged directly with Red Crescent personnel and aid truck drivers facilitating humanitarian deliveries into the conflict-devastated territory.

According to eyewitness accounts from AFP journalists present at the location, Jolie’s visit focused on two primary objectives: assessing the medical condition of injured Palestinians being transferred to Egyptian medical facilities and evaluating the logistical challenges facing aid delivery operations. The Rafah crossing has served as the primary gateway for humanitarian assistance entering Gaza amid ongoing regional tensions.

The visit underscores the continuing international concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with high-profile advocates like Jolie drawing global attention to the plight of civilians affected by the conflict. Her presence at the border highlights the critical role of humanitarian corridors in conflict zones and the challenges faced by aid organizations in delivering essential supplies under complex geopolitical circumstances.

Jolie, who has extensive experience in humanitarian work through her former role with the United Nations refugee agency, represents a growing cohort of celebrity advocates using their platform to spotlight international crises. The timing of her visit coincides with increased diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian situation in the region, though specific outcomes from her assessment remain undisclosed.

A coalition of eight nations has issued a joint declaration expressing profound alarm over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where severe winter conditions have exacerbated an already critical crisis. The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt emphasized that torrential rains and storms have intensified civilian suffering amid persistently limited aid access.

The ministerial coalition highlighted that nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians now face catastrophic living conditions, with many sheltering in inadequate camps where flooded tents, collapsed structures, and freezing temperatures have created life-threatening circumstances. The statement specifically noted that widespread malnutrition and the heightened risk of disease transmission pose particular dangers to children, women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Officials praised the efforts of UN agencies, including the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and other international humanitarian organizations operating under extremely challenging conditions. The ministers stressed the imperative for Israel to permit unimpeded humanitarian access, noting that any obstruction of aid delivery operations remains unacceptable given the critical nature of their mission.

The coalition reaffirmed support for UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the comprehensive plan advanced by US President Donald Trump, expressing commitment to contribute to its implementation. They emphasized that the plan offers a viable pathway toward maintaining ceasefire arrangements, ending hostilities, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and advancing Palestinian self-determination aspirations.

Ministers called for immediate expansion of early recovery efforts, including provision of permanent shelter solutions to protect vulnerable populations from harsh winter conditions. They urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift restrictions on essential supplies including medical aid, clean water, fuel, and sanitation support.

The joint statement concluded with an urgent appeal for immediate, full, and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery through United Nations agencies, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and hospitals, and the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions as outlined in President Trump’s comprehensive plan.

A seismic shift in travel patterns is underway as Turkey’s newly implemented visa exemption policy for Chinese passport holders triggers an extraordinary surge in travel interest. Effective January 2, 2026, the landmark agreement permits Chinese citizens carrying ordinary passports to enter Turkey for tourism or transit purposes without visa requirements, allowing stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

The policy change has generated immediate and substantial market response. Leading Chinese travel platform Qunar reported remarkable spikes in flight searches within hours of the announcement. Istanbul-bound flights witnessed a staggering 630% increase in search volume compared to the previous week, while inquiries for Antalya and Izmir routes grew by 130% and 100% respectively. Competing platform Trip.com simultaneously recorded over 50% year-on-year growth in user engagement regarding Turkish travel options.

This diplomatic development builds upon strengthened aviation connections established between the two nations. In May 2025, China and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding that dramatically expanded flight capacity, increasing weekly passenger flights from 21 to 49. This enhanced connectivity provides the necessary infrastructure to support the anticipated tourism boom.

Travel analytics expert Yang Han from Qunar’s Big Data Research Institute noted that Turkey had already established itself as an increasingly popular destination throughout 2025. ‘The visa-free entry policy effectively eliminates significant travel barriers,’ Yang explained. ‘When combined with the extended nine-day Spring Festival holiday in 2026, we anticipate substantially amplified demand for Turkish tourism during the peak travel period.’

The convergence of simplified entry procedures, expanded flight availability, and favorable holiday scheduling creates ideal conditions for a transformative period in Sino-Turkish tourism relations, potentially establishing Turkey as a premier destination for Chinese travelers seeking international experiences.

A devastating fire that erupted at the Le Constellation bar in the renowned Crans-Montana ski resort of Switzerland during the early hours of New Year’s Day has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 40 fatalities and more than 115 individuals injured. Among the victims is a 17-year-old student from Dubai, whose identity is being withheld by media outlets pending official confirmation and out of respect for the grieving family.

The young man, described as a talented and passionate golfer who regularly participated in UAE golfing circuits, had recently competed in the UAE Cup in December. The Italian Golf Federation issued an official statement expressing profound condolences, honoring him as an athlete who embodied authentic values and genuine passion for the sport. Tributes have poured in from prominent figures within the UAE’s golf community, reflecting the profound impact of his loss.

Authorities face a painstaking identification process that could extend for days or even weeks due to the severity of the injuries sustained. Witness accounts describe scenes of utter chaos as patrons, including many young people, attempted to escape the blaze by breaking windows. The bar’s popular basement nightclub was reportedly crowded at the time of the incident, though the exact number of attendees remains unverified.

International casualties have been reported with Italy’s foreign ministry confirming 16 nationals missing and 12 injured, while France reported eight citizens unaccounted for, with potential fatalities among them. One Australian citizen was among the injured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with preliminary witness reports suggesting sparklers or flares in champagne bottles as potential ignition sources.

Saudi Arabia has conducted a series of airstrikes against positions held by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in southeastern Yemen, resulting in significant casualties and escalating tensions within the fragile coalition. According to STC officials, seven aerial assaults targeted a camp in al-Khasah, killing at least seven individuals and wounding more than twenty others.

The military action follows the launch of what Saudi-backed authorities termed a “peaceful operation” to reclaim territory seized by the separatist group during its rapid offensive in December. Governor Salem al-Khanbashi of Hadhramout province, granted full military and administrative authority by Yemen’s internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), described the initiative as a “precautionary measure to protect security and prevent chaos” rather than a declaration of war.

However, STC leadership has vehemently condemned Saudi actions as deceptive and contradictory. Amr al-Bidh, the STC’s special representative for foreign affairs, accused Riyadh of deliberately misleading the international community by announcing peaceful intentions while simultaneously preparing military strikes. “Their actions indisputably prove otherwise,” al-Bidh stated regarding Saudi claims of seeking de-escalation.

The conflict emerges amid deepening fractures within the PLC, an eight-member governing body originally established with both Saudi and Emirati support. Half of the council’s members reportedly support the southern separatists, creating significant internal divisions.

In a related diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen publicly accused STC chairman Aidarus al-Zubaidi of refusing landing permission to a Saudi delegation seeking de-escalation talks at Aden’s airport. Ambassador Mohammed al-Jaber characterized Zubaidi’s unilateral decisions as “dangerous,” particularly his leadership of military operations in Hadhramout and al-Mahra provinces.

The tensions reflect broader regional complexities, including recently strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Earlier this week, Saudi forces targeted an Emirati shipment in southern Yemen and explicitly criticized UAE support for the southern separatists—a notable escalation in rhetoric. Abu Dhabi rejected these accusations as containing “fundamental inaccuracies” while subsequently announcing the withdrawal of its limited forces from Yemen following a request from PLC leadership.