In Gaza, football has become a symbol of resilience as survivors—many of them amputees—form teams and compete despite unimaginable hardship. Supported by the ICRC, Gaza launched its first amputee football program, giving players community, purpose, and a path to healing. In 2021, Palestine introduced its first-ever amputee national team, with hopes of reaching the Amputee Football World Cup. This is their inspiring journey.

Amputee Football in Gaza: A Powerful Story of Strength, Survival & Hope

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued first-of-its-kind rules of engagement for civilian hackers in conflicts. The organisation released the rulebook in wake of unprecedented numbers of civilians joining patriotic cyber-gangs since the Ukraine invasion.

The rulebook is of eight rules comprising of bans on attack on hospitals, hacking tools that spread uncontrollably and threats that may terrorise civilians. The rulebook also comes with a warning to hackers, that their acts may jeopardize lives, including their own, if they are designated a legitimate military target.&nbsp;

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Many cyber gangs, however, intend to ignore the rules, as per reports.&nbsp;

<h2>ICRC’s 8 rules for ‘hackitvists’</h2>

Based on international humanitarian law, the rules are:

1. Do not direct cyber-attacks against civilian objects

2. Do not use malware or other tools or techniques that spread automatically and damage military objectives and civilian objects indiscriminately

3. When planning a cyber-attack against a military objective, do everything feasible to avoid or minimise the effects your operation may have on civilians

4. Do not conduct any cyber-operation against medical and humanitarian facilities

5. Do not conduct any cyber-attack against objects indispensable to the survival of the population or that can release dangerous forces

6. Do not make threats of violence to spread terror among the civilian population

7. Do not incite violations of international humanitarian law

8. Comply with these rules even if the enemy does not

<h2>‘Patriotic hacking’: A new weapon of war</h2>

ICRC is sending the new rules to hacking groups specifically involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the past, hacking has been increasingly used as a weapon of war. A new form of hacking, called ‘patriotic hacking’, has rise over the past decade.&nbsp;

The ICRC statement highlights pro-Syrian cyber attacks on Western news media in 2013. This worrying trend further accelerated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and is now spreading globally, ICRC legal adviser Tilman Rodenhäuser says.

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"Some experts consider civilian hacking activity as 'cyber-vigilantism' and argue that their operations are technically not sophisticated and unlikely to cause significant effects," he says.

The ICRC is also imploring governments to restrain hacking and enforce existing laws.

The Ukraine conflict has blurred the boundaries between civilian and military hacking, with civilian groups such as the IT Army of Ukraine being set up and encouraged by the government to attack Russian targets.

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The IT Army of Ukraine, which has 160,000 members on its Telegram channel, also targets public services such as railway systems and banks.

Large groups in Russia have similarly attacked Ukraine and allied countries - including disruptive but temporary attacks, such as knocking websites offline, on hospitals.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued first-of-its-kind rules of engagement for civilian hackers in conflicts. The organisation released the rulebook in wake of unprecedented numbers of civilians joining patriotic cyber-gangs since the Ukraine invasion.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued first-of-its-kind rules of engagement for civilian hackers in conflicts. The organisation released the rulebook in wake of unprecedented numbers of civilians joining patriotic cyber-gangs since the Ukraine invasion. The rulebook is of eight rules comprising of bans on attack on hospitals, hacking tools that spread uncontrollably and threats that may terrorise civilians. The rulebook also comes with a warning to hackers, that their acts may jeopardize lives, including their own, if they are designated a legitimate military target. Also read | Watch | Video of ultra-orthodox Jews spitting on Christians sparks outrage Many cyber gangs, however, intend to ignore the rules, as per reports. ICRC’s 8 rules for ‘hackitvists’ Based on international humanitarian law, the rules are: 1. Do not direct cyber-attacks against civilian objects 2. Do not use malware or other tools or techniques that spread automatically and damage military objectives and civilian objects indiscriminately 3. When planning a cyber-attack against a military objective, do everything feasible to avoid or minimise the effects your operation may have on civilians 4. Do not conduct any cyber-operation against medical and humanitarian facilities 5. Do not conduct any cyber-attack against objects indispensable to the survival of the population or that can release dangerous forces 6. Do not make threats of violence to spread terror among the civilian population 7. Do not incite violations of international humanitarian law 8. Comply with these rules even if the enemy does not ‘Patriotic hacking’: A new weapon of war ICRC is sending the new rules to hacking groups specifically involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the past, hacking has been increasingly used as a weapon of war. A new form of hacking, called ‘patriotic hacking’, has rise over the past decade. The ICRC statement highlights pro-Syrian cyber attacks on Western news media in 2013. This worrying trend further accelerated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and is now spreading globally, ICRC legal adviser Tilman Rodenhäuser says. Also Read | Indonesian authorities hunting foreign national who meditated naked at Hindu shrine "Some experts consider civilian hacking activity as 'cyber-vigilantism' and argue that their operations are technically not sophisticated and unlikely to cause significant effects," he says. The ICRC is also imploring governments to restrain hacking and enforce existing laws. The Ukraine conflict has blurred the boundaries between civilian and military hacking, with civilian groups such as the IT Army of Ukraine being set up and encouraged by the government to attack Russian targets. Also Read | Nobel chemistry prize sparks controversy, purported winners' names out before decision is made The IT Army of Ukraine, which has 160,000 members on its Telegram channel, also targets public services such as railway systems and banks. Large groups in Russia have similarly attacked Ukraine and allied countries - including disruptive but temporary attacks, such as knocking websites offline, on hospitals. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In a first, Red Cross issues rulebook for 'hacktivists' in conflict zones

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief on Sunday urged aid organisations to loosen their purse strings to help tackle a humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique, reeling from relentless jihadist attacks.

Peter Maurer made the call following a visit to Pemba, capital of the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have sought shelter after fleeing the extremist violence.

Mozambique is battling to contain an Islamist fundamentalist insurgency which started in October 2017, and has claimed more than 2,500 lives and displaced more than 570,000 people.

He told AFP that the international community needs to "look more generously at supporting Mozambique in the present situation".&nbsp;

"It's obvious there are big needs," Maurer said in an interview shortly before flying out of Pemba following a one-day visit.&nbsp;

"This is a country which has a lot of other needs and on top of it, it gets violence and Covid."

Shadowy jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State group have wreaked havoc in the gas-rich but impoverished province.

Their attacks surged last year, triggering a humanitarian crisis similar to the one caused by Mozambique's 1977-92 civil war.

Yet recent data collected by the US conflict tracker ACLED tentatively suggest the assaults have waned since January under intensified government military ground and air operations.

While the ICRC chief believed that it may be "very early" for &nbsp;people to start returning to their homes, he said: "I don't want to discourage anybody. ICRC is not the best judge on the security situation."

However, he added: "This is not yet a stable situation."

Maurer urged local authorities to assess the security situation and come up with "durable" solutions for the displaced people.

To have "hundreds of thousands of people displaced... in provisional settlements (or) living with local communities" is not sustainable, he said.

Tens of thousands of internally displaced people are sheltering in camps in and around Pemba, while many others have moved in with host families, which Maurer applauded.

"I (saw) the solidarity, the receptiveness, the understanding of host communities, I was very impressed," he said, adding that by contrast in Europe, a sudden influx of refugees somewhere often "turns into a political drama".

Maurer is scheduled to hold talks with President Filipe Nyusi and cabinet ministers in the Mozambique capital Maputo on Monday.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief on Sunday urged aid organisations to loosen their purse strings to help tackle a humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique, reeling from relentless jihadist attacks.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief on Sunday urged aid organisations to loosen their purse strings to help tackle a humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique, reeling from relentless jihadist attacks. Peter Maurer made the call following a visit to Pemba, capital of the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have sought shelter after fleeing the extremist violence. Mozambique is battling to contain an Islamist fundamentalist insurgency which started in October 2017, and has claimed more than 2,500 lives and displaced more than 570,000 people. He told AFP that the international community needs to "look more generously at supporting Mozambique in the present situation". "It's obvious there are big needs," Maurer said in an interview shortly before flying out of Pemba following a one-day visit. "This is a country which has a lot of other needs and on top of it, it gets violence and Covid." Shadowy jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State group have wreaked havoc in the gas-rich but impoverished province. Their attacks surged last year, triggering a humanitarian crisis similar to the one caused by Mozambique's 1977-92 civil war. Yet recent data collected by the US conflict tracker ACLED tentatively suggest the assaults have waned since January under intensified government military ground and air operations. While the ICRC chief believed that it may be "very early" for people to start returning to their homes, he said: "I don't want to discourage anybody. ICRC is not the best judge on the security situation." However, he added: "This is not yet a stable situation." Maurer urged local authorities to assess the security situation and come up with "durable" solutions for the displaced people. To have "hundreds of thousands of people displaced... in provisional settlements (or) living with local communities" is not sustainable, he said. Tens of thousands of internally displaced people are sheltering in camps in and around Pemba, while many others have moved in with host families, which Maurer applauded. "I (saw) the solidarity, the receptiveness, the understanding of host communities, I was very impressed," he said, adding that by contrast in Europe, a sudden influx of refugees somewhere often "turns into a political drama". Maurer is scheduled to hold talks with President Filipe Nyusi and cabinet ministers in the Mozambique capital Maputo on Monday.

ICRC chief urges more humanitarian aid for northern Mozambique

The Taliban on Sunday revoked their ban on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan and gave a guarantee of security for its staff doing humanitarian work in areas under their control.

Taliban leaders imposed a ban on the ICRC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in April saying the organisations were carrying out "suspicious" activities during vaccinations campaigns and not sticking to their declared missions.

"The Islamic Emirate restores the former security guarantees to ICRC in Afghanistan and instructs all mujahideen to pave the way for ICRC activities and be mindful of security to this committee's workers and equipment," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement.

The Taliban refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The spokesman did not refer to the WHO in his statement.

Officials at ICRC and WHO in Kabul were not immediately available for comment.

The WHO has been carrying out a vaccination campaign in Afghanistan, one of the last countries in the world where polio is endemic. The ICRC has been providing medical support for more than 30 years.

Aid groups operating in Afghanistan stress that they do not take sides.

The ICRC, in particular, is known for its strict neutrality in conflicts.

It operates in Taliban-controlled areas with a guarantee of safety and helps to repatriate bodies from both sides after fighting between the militants and the Afghan army.

The Taliban control or contest more than half of Afghanistan's 410 Afghan districts.

The Taliban on Sunday revoked their ban on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan and gave a guarantee of security for its staff doing humanitarian work in areas under their control.

The Taliban on Sunday revoked their ban on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan and gave a guarantee of security for its staff doing humanitarian work in areas under their control. Taliban leaders imposed a ban on the ICRC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in April saying the organisations were carrying out "suspicious" activities during vaccinations campaigns and not sticking to their declared missions. "The Islamic Emirate restores the former security guarantees to ICRC in Afghanistan and instructs all mujahideen to pave the way for ICRC activities and be mindful of security to this committee's workers and equipment," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement. The Taliban refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The spokesman did not refer to the WHO in his statement. Officials at ICRC and WHO in Kabul were not immediately available for comment. The WHO has been carrying out a vaccination campaign in Afghanistan, one of the last countries in the world where polio is endemic. The ICRC has been providing medical support for more than 30 years. Aid groups operating in Afghanistan stress that they do not take sides. The ICRC, in particular, is known for its strict neutrality in conflicts. It operates in Taliban-controlled areas with a guarantee of safety and helps to repatriate bodies from both sides after fighting between the militants and the Afghan army. The Taliban control or contest more than half of Afghanistan's 410 Afghan districts.

Taliban revoke the ban on Red Cross, provide security guarantees

Yemen&#39;s historic city of Zabid is under threat as a government military offensive closes in, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned Tuesday, calling on the warring sides to protect the site.

&quot;The fighting in Hodeida governorate is at the gates of the historic city of Zabid, fanning fears for the fate of its cultural heritage,&quot; said Alexandre Faite, ICRC&#39;s head of delegation in Yemen.

Red Sea coastal site Zabid, which served as the capital of Yemen from the 13th to 15th centuries, is listed as a United Nations World Heritage Site for its unique architecture and deep connection to the spread of Islam.

The city, according to UNESCO, is home to the highest concentration of mosques in Yemen -- among them one of the world&#39;s earliest mosques, built by a companion of Islam&#39;s Prophet Mohammed.

It now lies on the fault lines of Yemen`s modern war, as government forces backed by Saudi-led air strikes press an offensive along the Red Sea coast.&nbsp;

The offensive, which has been gathering momentum in recent months, is aimed at retaking the key port of Hodeida from the Huthi rebels.&nbsp;Zabid -- under rebel control -- lies on its path.&nbsp;

&quot;The frontline is only kilometres from Zabid. Any destruction of cultural property there would mean that people, communities and all of humanity lose out,&quot; the ICRC&#39;s Faite said, calling on all parties to &quot;protect and respect&quot; the ancient city.

Yemen, rich in historic sites, has for years been embroiled in a bloody conflict between the Huthi rebels and a loosely aligned camp of government troops and separatist forces.&nbsp;

The capital, Sanaa, fell to the Iran-backed rebels in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led intervention the following year.&nbsp;

More than 9,200 Yemenis have been killed in the fighting since, while tens of thousands have been wounded, according to the World Health Organisation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Yemen's historic city of Zabid is under threat as a government military offensive closes in

Yemen's historic city of Zabid is under threat as a government military offensive closes in, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned Tuesday, calling on the warring sides to protect the site. "The fighting in Hodeida governorate is at the gates of the historic city of Zabid, fanning fears for the fate of its cultural heritage," said Alexandre Faite, ICRC's head of delegation in Yemen. Red Sea coastal site Zabid, which served as the capital of Yemen from the 13th to 15th centuries, is listed as a United Nations World Heritage Site for its unique architecture and deep connection to the spread of Islam. The city, according to UNESCO, is home to the highest concentration of mosques in Yemen -- among them one of the world's earliest mosques, built by a companion of Islam's Prophet Mohammed. It now lies on the fault lines of Yemen`s modern war, as government forces backed by Saudi-led air strikes press an offensive along the Red Sea coast. The offensive, which has been gathering momentum in recent months, is aimed at retaking the key port of Hodeida from the Huthi rebels. Zabid -- under rebel control -- lies on its path. "The frontline is only kilometres from Zabid. Any destruction of cultural property there would mean that people, communities and all of humanity lose out," the ICRC's Faite said, calling on all parties to "protect and respect" the ancient city. Yemen, rich in historic sites, has for years been embroiled in a bloody conflict between the Huthi rebels and a loosely aligned camp of government troops and separatist forces. The capital, Sanaa, fell to the Iran-backed rebels in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led intervention the following year. More than 9,200 Yemenis have been killed in the fighting since, while tens of thousands have been wounded, according to the World Health Organisation.

Yemen offensive threatens heritage site: ICRC

The&nbsp;International&nbsp;Committee of the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;will &quot;drastically&quot;&nbsp;cut&nbsp;back its operations&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan following&nbsp;attacks&nbsp;that have killed seven of its staff this year, the aid group said on Monday.

The announcement underlines the deteriorating security for aid groups in&nbsp;Afghanistan, where the ICRC has been operating for more than 30 years and has been running its fourth biggest humanitarian programme.

&quot;Exposure to risk has become our greatest challenge and concern,&quot; Monica Zanarelli, head of the ICRC in&nbsp;Afghanistan, told a news conference in the capital, Kabul.

&quot;We have no choice but to drastically&nbsp;reduce our presence in&nbsp;Afghanistan,&quot; she said, adding that the decision would particularly affect&nbsp;operations&nbsp;in the north, where facilities in Kunduz, Faryab, and Balkh provinces would be closed or downsized.

Red&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;officials said the assessments are ongoing and could not say how many of its 1,800 staff would be affected.

The&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;had already warned of the threat to its&nbsp;operations&nbsp;following a series of&nbsp;attacks over the past year.

In February, the organization put all of its&nbsp;operations&nbsp;on hold&nbsp;after&nbsp;six of its staff were killed in an attack on an aid convoy in the far north.

Operations&nbsp;gradually resumed over the summer, but last month, a Spanish&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Crossphysiotherapist working in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif was shot dead by one of her patients.

In addition, four of its staff have been abducted over the past year.

The spreading conflict has combined with an increase in criminality, making for more &quot;blurred lines&quot; between the various armed groups which complicate efforts to safely provide aid, Zanarelli said.

&quot;I would say there are more grey areas than there were in the past, and this is certainly what is affecting our capacity to assess our security,&quot; she said.

According to US&nbsp;military estimates, the government controls no more than 60 percent of the country, with the rest either controlled or contested by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.

Monica Zanarelli, head of the ICRC in?Afghanistan, told a news conference in the capital, Kabul, 'We have no choice but to drastically?reduce our presence in?Afghanistan'

The International Committee of the Red Cross will "drastically" cut back its operations in Afghanistan following attacks that have killed seven of its staff this year, the aid group said on Monday. The announcement underlines the deteriorating security for aid groups in Afghanistan, where the ICRC has been operating for more than 30 years and has been running its fourth biggest humanitarian programme. "Exposure to risk has become our greatest challenge and concern," Monica Zanarelli, head of the ICRC in Afghanistan, told a news conference in the capital, Kabul. "We have no choice but to drastically reduce our presence in Afghanistan," she said, adding that the decision would particularly affect operations in the north, where facilities in Kunduz, Faryab, and Balkh provinces would be closed or downsized. Red Cross officials said the assessments are ongoing and could not say how many of its 1,800 staff would be affected. The Red Cross had already warned of the threat to its operations following a series of attacks over the past year. In February, the organization put all of its operations on hold after six of its staff were killed in an attack on an aid convoy in the far north. Operations gradually resumed over the summer, but last month, a Spanish Red Crossphysiotherapist working in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif was shot dead by one of her patients. In addition, four of its staff have been abducted over the past year. The spreading conflict has combined with an increase in criminality, making for more "blurred lines" between the various armed groups which complicate efforts to safely provide aid, Zanarelli said. "I would say there are more grey areas than there were in the past, and this is certainly what is affecting our capacity to assess our security," she said. According to US military estimates, the government controls no more than 60 percent of the country, with the rest either controlled or contested by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.

International Red Cross set to drastically cut Afghan operations

Up to&nbsp;one million people could be forced to flee their homes in Iraq in coming weeks and months as fighting intensifies to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Friday. 
 
The humanitarian agency said it was seeking a further 17.1 million Swiss Francs for its programme in Iraq, its third largest worldwide, bringing its budget for the country to $137 million Swiss Francs. 
 
&quot;The situation is unpredictable but we must prepare for the worst. There&rsquo;s the likelihood that fighting will intensify, particularly in the Mosul area. Hundreds of thousands of people may very well be on the move in the coming weeks and months, seeking shelter and assistance,&quot; said Robert Mardini, ICRC director for the Near and Middle East on return from Iraq.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

'The situation is unpredictable but we must prepare for the worst,' said the International Committee of the Red Cross chief

Up to one million people could be forced to flee their homes in Iraq in coming weeks and months as fighting intensifies to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Friday. The humanitarian agency said it was seeking a further 17.1 million Swiss Francs for its programme in Iraq, its third largest worldwide, bringing its budget for the country to $137 million Swiss Francs. "The situation is unpredictable but we must prepare for the worst. There’s the likelihood that fighting will intensify, particularly in the Mosul area. Hundreds of thousands of people may very well be on the move in the coming weeks and months, seeking shelter and assistance," said Robert Mardini, ICRC director for the Near and Middle East on return from Iraq. (Reuters)

About one million may flee Iraq due to IS takeover: Red Cross

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