Sudan Gazette

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk said on Sunday that “the horrendous events of the past 48 hours in Gaza beggar belief.”

“The killing of so many people at schools turned shelters, hundreds fleeing for their lives from Al-Shifa Hospital, amid the continuing displacement of hundreds of thousands in southern Gaza, are actions that fly in the face of the basic protections civilians must be afforded under international law,” Trk said in a statement.

Trk added that images purportedly taken in the aftermath of the Israeli strike on Al Fakhoura school are horrifying, clearly showing large numbers of women, children, and men severely wounded or killed. At least three other schools hosting displaced Palestinians have also been attacked in the past 48 hours.

He noted that “Israeli military operations have been continuing inside and around Al Shifa Hospital. UN colleagues visited the site yesterday and witnessed first-hand what they described as a ‘death zone’.”

“Medical personnel, patients, and civi
lians have fled the hospital, ordered to do so by the Israeli military. Hundreds were seen making their way south on foot, at great risk to their lives, health, and safety. And to where? Nowhere is safe in Gaza,” the UN official explained.

Trk added, “In Khan Younis, the Israeli Forces are dropping leaflets demanding residents go to unspecified “recognized shelters”, even as strikes take place across Gaza. Already displaced Palestinians – deprived by extreme restrictions on life-saving assistance – are struggling to meet their basic needs, forced into ever-diminishing, over-crowded, unsanitary unsafe spaces.”

“Irrespective of warnings, Israel is obliged to protect civilians wherever they are,” he emphasized. “Rules of international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in carrying out the attacks must be strictly adhered to.”

“Failure to adhere to these rules may constitute war crimes,” Trk said.

“The pain, dread, and fear etched on the faces of childre
n, women and men is too much to bear. How much more violence, bloodshed and misery will it take before people come to their senses? How many more civilians will be killed? This must stop,” Trk underlined.

“Humanity must come first. A ceasefire – on humanitarian and human rights grounds – is desperately needed. Now,” the UN official concluded.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced Sunday that it has begun receiving half the fuel it needs to run its minimum operations in embattled Gaza.

UNRWA’s media advisor, Adnan Abu Hasna, stated that the agency is only given 60,000 litres of fuel daily, adding that it represents half of UNRWA’s needs to meet the minimum level of its operation needs in the besieged enclave.

Abu Hasna explained that the allowed fuel would be distributed to water desalination plants and to generate energy for hospitals, operate bakeries, dispose of wastewater and collect solid waste, noting that Gazans would receive two-thirds of their drinking water needs.

He added that streets in Gaza are flooded with sewage due to insufficient fuel to drain the water.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yarmouk Water Company, Hussein Soub, and a French Development Agency (AFD) expert team discussed Sunday cooperation in water and sanitation projects.

Soub focused on partnership and cooperation with the French Agency in supporting the water sector in Jordan, noting AFD-supported water projects.

The meeting focused on the most prominent plans and programmes in water supply, improvement of sanitation services and asset management to meet the needs of the governorates of northern Jordan.

Source: Jordan News Agency

President of Al al-Bayt University (AABU), Dr. Osama Nusair, on Sunday discussed with Mexican Ambassador to Jordan, Roberto Rodriguez-Hernandez, and the accompanying delegation, frameworks for joint academic and cultural cooperation.

Nusair reviewed the AABU’s “ambitious” future programs and plans, stressing importance of cultural and scientific exchange between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the Mexican envoy praised the university’s “high” level, highlighting importance of achieving joint cooperation in several fields and specializations and promoting mutual cultural exchange and scientific research.

During his visit, the envoy gave an introductory lecture to students of Spanish Language Department on Mexico’s civilization, history, culture, customs and traditions.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Al-Balqa’ Applied University (BAU) and the National Center for Nuclear and Radiological Security (NCNRS) have entered into a collaborative memorandum of understanding (MoU), aimed at enhancing national capacities in various areas related to nuclear and radiation security, electricity and renewable energy, as well as natural resources, along with providing advisory services.

The deal was signed by Ahmed Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, BAU President, and Ziyad Saaida, The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

The agreement represents a commitment to train the university staff and students, empowering them with specialized knowledge and expertise through comprehensive training and awareness programs. The latest frameworks and methodologies in nuclear and radiation security, electricity, renewable energy, and natural resources will be employed to facilitate knowledge transfer among peers.

Under the memorandum, the University, in collaboration with the International Re
search Center for Water, Environment, and Energy (IRCWEE) and the NCNRS, will actively engage in implementing aligned activities, programs, and projects.

Joint initiatives will be undertaken, and specialized courses will be conducted to address the specific needs of the nuclear and radiological work sector, as well as the electricity, renewable energy, and natural resources sectors.

Source: Jordan News Agency

A Cabinet session held Sunday, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Bishr Khasawneh, approved Licensing Private and Foreign Educational Institutions Bylaw for 2023.

The new system aims to streamline licensing procedures for private and foreign educational institutions, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision (EMV) as part of sectoral licenses.

Additionally, the regulation seeks to regulate these institutions’ work by specifying their obligations, rights and the required fees, as well as organizing and supervising services provided for people with disabilities.

The Council of Ministers approved the Administrative Organization Bylaw for Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) for 2023, aimed to define tasks and responsibilities of the corporation’s administrative units to avoid overlap and reorganize work, in line with the latest development requirements to ensure good workflow and raise performance efficiency.

On another media-related decision, the Cabinet approved the amending Administrative Organi
zation Bylaw of Jordan News Agency (Petra) for 2023, aimed to keep pace with developments in the field of digital media and social media platforms, optimally invest human resources and competencies and redistribute staff among organizational units to rearrange workload and unify nature of similar activities.

Moreover, the Council approved an amending Customs Services Fees Bylaw on imported goods for 2023, aimed to support and stimulate national industries, by reducing the tariff imposed on raw materials for nuts to 3% instead of 5% of their value, and selling related ready-made materials imported from abroad at affordable and competitive prices.

Source: Jordan News Agency