Israel reopens key Kerem Shalom border crossing for Gaza aid
Israel says it is reopening the Kerem Shalom crossing with southern Gaza for aid deliveries, four days after it was closed because of Hamas rocket fire.
Lorries from Egypt with food, water and medicine have arrived at the crossing, according to a BBC report quoting Israeli military.
The UN had expressed alarm on Tuesday over what it called Israel’s “choking off” of Gaza’s two main aid arteries.
It came after Israeli troops took full control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
Overnight, there were fresh Israeli air strikes in the nearby city of Rafah, where the Israeli military says it began a limited operation on Monday.
A senior US official also confirmed that a shipment of US weapons to Israel had been paused last week over concerns that Israeli forces were about to launch a major offensive on Rafah city.
The shipment included 2,000lb bombs, which could be devastating if used in such a densely populated place.
Seven months into its war with Hamas in Gaza, Israel has said that victory is impossible without taking Rafah.
But with more than a million displaced Palestinians taking refuge there from the fighting elsewhere, the UN and Western powers have warned that an all-out assault could have devastating humanitarian consequences
Kerem Shalom is the key entry point for aid into Gaza, but Israel closed it on Sunday after four Israeli soldiers were killed by rockets launched by Hamas from the area of the Rafah crossing, according to the Israeli military.
Another six projectiles were fired at Kerem Shalom from the Rafah area on Tuesday, but no casualties were reported.
The second attack happened hours after Israeli tanks rolled into the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing as part of what the military called a “precise” operation to “eliminate Hamas terrorists and dismantle Hamas terrorist infrastructure within specific areas of eastern Rafah”.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was “disturbed and distressed” by the Israeli military activity.
He also warned that the closure of both Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings was “especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation” and demanded that they be reopened immediately.
On Wednesday morning, the Israeli military said it had informed international organisations about the reopening of Kerem Shalom for humanitarian aid.
“Trucks from Egypt carrying humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter equipment, medicine and medical equipment donated by the international community are already arriving at the crossing,” a statement said.
“After a thorough security inspection by the security personnel… the equipment will be transferred to the Gazan side of the crossing.”
The military also said the recently reopened Erez crossing with northern Gaza was continuing to operate to facilitate the entry of aid.
Meanwhile, delegations from Israel and Hamas are due to resume negotiations through mediators on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal in Cairo.
On Monday, Israel declared that a three-phase proposal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages approved by Hamas was unacceptable.
The White House spokesman, John Kirby said a revised text Hamas had since put forward suggested remaining gaps could “absolutely be closed”.
Mr Guterres urged Israel and Hamas to “spare no effort” to agree a ceasefire, warning that the fate of the entire region was facing a “decisive moment”.
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s cross-border attack on southern Israel on 7 October, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 252 others were taken hostage.
More than 34,780 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
A deal agreed in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in return for a week-long ceasefire and some 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel says 128 hostages are unaccounted for, 36 of whom are presumed dead.
Israel reopens key Kerem Shalom border crossing for Gaza aid
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum