International humanitarian organizations claim they still encounter violence and practical challenges when attempting to provide aid throughout the famine-threatened region, following the death of World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza due to an Israel airstrike that drew international condemnation.
A week after the World Central Kitchen attack, UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram tells TIME over the phone from Rafah on Sunday about a terrifying and fruitless attempt to deliver aid to north Gaza. While waiting at a checkpoint, the convoy she was traveling in—which had been prearranged with the Israel Defense Forces—was caught in the crossfire. Although Ingram is unsure of the shooter, she believes the shots originated from the direction of the checkpoint, which she calculates to be less than a kilometer (about half a mile) away.
“The IDF works in order to prevent harm to humanitarian teams,” the statement from the IDF tells TIME after an investigation indicates that its forces “were not within firing range of the convoy at the time and place indicated and it was found that no fire was carried out at the vehicle by the IDF.” ”.
In response, Ingram states, “We believe it’s critical that an impartial inquiry be carried out in order to clarify the events that transpired and guarantee that going forward, we have the required security to provide aid.” ”.
The need is dire. One million people in Gaza face an impending famine, according to a warning issued last month by the global authority on food insecurity. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 28 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration as of April 12.
Despite the needs, more than half of recent requested aid missions to north Gaza were unsuccessful, the U. N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported. Between April 6, 2012, and April 7, 2017, Israel facilitated 2041 percent of the missions; the remaining 2041 percent were denied or impeded, including because of hostilities; in 2017, aid groups canceled most of the missions due to logistical constraints.
World Central Kitchen claims that it coordinated its movements with Israel prior to the military attacking its convoy on April 2, demonstrating that even well-planned missions can be risky. Following what Israel described as a “grave mistake,” seven aid workers died as a result, prompting President Joe Biden to issue an ultimatum to Israel: either increase food aid into Gaza and take action to protect civilians, or risk losing U.S. S. support.
In response, Israel declared it would create new channels for the entry of additional aid, including a crossing into the northern Gaza Strip. According to an email sent to TIME by COGAT, the IDF’s humanitarian branch, more than 300 trucks entered Gaza every day last week as part of an increase in aid.
Biden said Wednesday that the number of trucks was still “not enough. ” Data from UNRWA, the U. N. ‘s Palestinian relief organization only slightly increases (the organization counts trucks in a different way than COGAT, according to the Associated Press). COGAT accused the U. N. of failing to gather supplies, sharing a photo of goods stacked inside Gaza on X, and claiming that “the Israeli side is not the bottleneck.” ”.
The U. N. ‘s head has resisted, saying that workers are being threatened by bombardment and fighting because “the real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid.” Since the war began on Oct. 7, 217 aid workers have been killed in Gaza, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X that “the increase in aid is not yet tangible, sustained or uninterrupted.” “Aid also needs to reach safely all those in need. ”.
Here’s what Ingram tells TIME about the challenges to delivering aid and the needs. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Navigating the home buying journey can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding how much of your income should be allocated to your monthly mortgage payment. This crucial decision impacts your financial well-being and overall lifestyle. Let’s delve into the key considerations and guidelines to help you determine the optimal percentage of your income for your mortgage.
The 28% Rule: A Traditional Benchmark
Traditionally, the 28% rule has served as a benchmark for determining an affordable mortgage payment. This rule suggests that your monthly housing expenses, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI), should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. This guideline helps ensure that your housing costs don’t consume a disproportionate chunk of your earnings, leaving room for other essential expenses and financial goals.
Example:
- Monthly Gross Income: $10,000
- 28% of Gross Income: $2,800
- Maximum Monthly Mortgage Payment: $2,800
The 36% Rule: Considering Overall Debt
While the 28% rule focuses on housing costs, the 36% rule takes a broader view of your overall debt burden. This rule states that your total monthly debt obligations, including your mortgage, student loans, car payments, and credit card debt, should not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income. This rule helps ensure that you’re not overextending yourself financially and can comfortably manage your debt obligations.
Example:
- Monthly Gross Income: $10,000
- 36% of Gross Income: $3,600
- Maximum Monthly Debt Payments: $3,600
The 25% Post-Tax Model: Focusing on Take-Home Pay
The 25% post-tax model focuses on your net income, or take-home pay, after taxes and other deductions. This model suggests that your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 25% of your net income. This approach can be more relevant if your take-home pay is significantly lower than your gross income due to factors like wage garnishment or aggressive retirement savings.
Example:
- Monthly Net Income: $7,500
- 25% of Net Income: $1,875
- Maximum Monthly Mortgage Payment: $1,875
Navigating the Current Housing Market: Affordability Challenges
The current housing market presents unique challenges to affordability. Rising interest rates, appreciating home prices, and low housing inventory have pushed the average monthly mortgage payment to record highs. As a result, the traditional rules of thumb may not always be applicable. In some cases, borrowers may need to allocate a higher percentage of their income to their mortgage payments to secure a home.
The Importance of Individual Circumstances
It’s crucial to remember that these rules are general guidelines and may not apply to everyone’s unique circumstances. Factors such as your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and financial goals should be considered when determining the right percentage of your income to allocate to your mortgage.
Additional Considerations for Affordability
Beyond your monthly mortgage payment, other homeownership costs can significantly impact your affordability. These costs include:
- Home maintenance: Regular upkeep, repairs, and replacements
- Property taxes: Annual taxes levied on your property
- Homeowners insurance: Protection against unforeseen events
- HOA fees: Monthly or annual fees for community amenities and services
Working with a Mortgage Lender
Consulting with a mortgage lender is essential to determine your affordability and explore loan options that align with your financial goals. They can help you analyze your income, expenses, and credit score to determine the right mortgage amount and payment structure for you.
Determining the right percentage of your income to allocate to your mortgage requires careful consideration of your financial situation, housing market conditions, and individual goals. By understanding the various rules and factors involved, you can make an informed decision that balances affordability with your overall financial well-being. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and working with a mortgage lender can provide valuable guidance throughout the process.
Do you know what instigated it or where it came from?
I don’t know what instigated it. It appeared to be coming from the checkpoint’s direction, heading south, and it appeared to be directed at civilians, or what appeared to be civilians, who subsequently turned and fled in the opposite direction. I would say I saw a dozen (apparent civilians).
What happened after the gunfire ?
We decided that we would continue with the mission. And basically, that just meant continuing to hold until we got the green light. Unfortunately, we held there for at least another two hours. And by that point, it was about 1 p. m. the mission could no longer be carried out because, even if we had been given the go-ahead, we would still have needed to travel to the checkpoint, through the checkpoint, and up north, and we would not have had the time to finish the mission. So we decided that we would turn back and try another day.
Today, we had our redo of our mission to the north. It was a 13-hour mission, and almost six of those hours were spent waiting for the green light. We didn’t get to complete everything, and that’s really disappointing. We were only able to conduct the nutrition and medical aspects of the mission at Kamal Adwan Hospital. We had 45 minutes on the ground at the hospital, that’s it.
We delivered a whole truck of medical and nutrition supplies. It included ready-to-use therapeutic food, which is a treatment for malnutrition, and high energy biscuits.
Is It Okay For Our Mortgage Payment To Be 35% of Our Gross Income?
FAQ
Is 40% of income on mortgage too much?
Is 50% of income too much for mortgage?
Is the 28 36 rule realistic?
How much house can I afford if I make $120000 a year?
How much of your income should go to a mortgage?
There are a few different more popular models for determining how much of your income should go to your mortgage. The 28% rule says that you shouldn’t pay more than 28% of your monthly gross income on mortgage payments—including taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Gross income is what you make before taxes are taken out.
How much money should you spend on a mortgage?
For example, if your gross monthly income is $8,000, you should spend no more than $2,240 on a monthly mortgage payment. The 35%/45% rule emphasizes that the borrower’s total monthly debt shouldn’t exceed more than 35% of their pretax income and also shouldn’t exceed more than 45% of their post-tax income.
How much income can you allocate to a mortgage?
To determine the maximum percentage of income you can allocate toward your mortgage, use the following formula: With a $5,000 gross monthly income, your monthly mortgage payment can go as high as $2,250. But many lenders would prefer you don’t hit the ceiling on your monthly mortgage payment to allow some breathing room in your budget.
How much can you afford a mortgage?
To determine how much you can afford using this rule, multiply your monthly gross income by 28%. For example, if you make $10,000 every month, multiply $10,000 by 0.28 to get $2,800. Using these figures, your monthly mortgage payment should be no more than $2,800.