The United Nations has warned that Israeli attacks on hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza have left patients struggling to access healthcare. The UN report says that at least 15 health facilities, including hospitals and clinics, were damaged or destroyed by Israeli forces during the recent conflict.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, human rights groups are sounding the alarm over government crackdowns and extrajudicial arrests. In Kenya, police fired tear gas at protesters demanding the release of dozens of government critics who have been abducted by armed groups.
In Ukraine, President Biden announced another $2.5 billion in military aid to help the country defend itself against Russia’s invasion. The package includes air defense missiles, munitions for rocket and artillery systems, anti-tank weapons, and more.
In Iran, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested on December 19 and has been held in solitary confinement since then. Sala had filed reports from Tehran but her imprisonment has raised concerns over press freedom.
The Guantánamo Bay prison has also seen a repatriation of one of its first inmates to Tunisia after more than two decades without trial. The prisoner, Ridah bin Saleh al-Yazidi, was cleared for release but held by the US military before being sent back to Tunisia.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban has announced plans to close all national and international NGOs that currently employ women. This move comes as part of a broader effort to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law in the country.
As the world grapples with these complex issues, human rights groups are calling for increased accountability and action to protect vulnerable populations around the globe.
Source: https://www.democracynow.org/2024/12/31/headlines