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.
Understanding Hard and Soft Credit Inquiries
When applying for a loan, credit card, or other form of credit, you may encounter the terms “hard inquiry” and “soft inquiry” These terms refer to different types of credit checks that can impact your credit score in various ways Let’s delve into the distinctions between these inquiries and their implications for your financial well-being.
Hard Inquiries: A Deeper Dive
A hard inquiry also known as a “hard pull” or “hard credit check” occurs when a financial institution, such as a lender or credit card issuer, reviews your credit report as part of a lending decision. This typically happens when you apply for a mortgage, loan, or credit card, and you usually have to authorize it.
Impact of Hard Inquiries on Credit Scores
Depending on your overall credit health, a hard inquiry may have little impact on your credit scores, even though it can lower them by a few points. A single hard inquiry won’t usually have a big effect on your chances of getting approved for a new credit card or loan. Hard credit checks typically remain on your credit reports for two years, so even before the inquiry permanently removes itself from your credit reports, the harm to your credit scores usually lessens or goes away.
Multiple Hard Inquiries: A Potential Red Flag
Although one hard inquiry might not be a big deal, several hard inquiries in a short amount of time could cause lenders and credit card issuers to become suspicious. This could mean that you are low on funds or about to accumulate a significant amount of debt. Spreading out your credit card applications will therefore help to reduce the negative effects on your credit score.
Soft Inquiries: A Gentle Approach
A soft inquiry, sometimes referred to as a “soft pull” or “soft credit check,” usually happens when someone or a business runs a credit check as part of a background investigation. This could occur, for instance, if a credit card company investigates your credit report without your consent in order to determine your eligibility for a particular credit card offer. Your employer might also run a soft inquiry before hiring you.
Impact of Soft Inquiries on Credit Scores
Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries won’t affect your credit scores. Depending on the credit bureau, they might or might not be included in your credit reports. You can only see soft inquiries when you view your credit reports because they aren’t associated with a specific application for new credit.
Checking Your Credit Scores: A Soft Inquiry
Checking your credit scores on Credit Karma is considered a soft inquiry, so it won’t lower your scores. You can check your VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from two major credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, for free at Credit Karma as often as you like without affecting your credit scores.
Examples of Hard and Soft Inquiries
The difference between a hard and soft inquiry generally boils down to whether you gave the lender permission to check your credit. If you did, it may be reported as a hard inquiry. If you didn’t, it should be reported as a soft inquiry.
Common Hard Inquiries:
- Mortgage applications
- Auto loan applications
- Credit card applications
- Student loan applications
- Personal loan applications
- Apartment rental applications
Common Soft Inquiries:
- Checking your credit score on Credit Karma
- “Prequalified” credit card offers
- “Prequalified” insurance quotes
- Employment verification (i.e., background check)
Disputing Hard Credit Inquiries
It’s recommended to check your credit reports often. If you spot any errors, such as a hard inquiry that occurred without your permission, consider disputing it with the credit bureau. You may also contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for further assistance.
Minimizing the Effect of Hard Credit Inquiries
When shopping for a home or car, don’t let a fear of racking up multiple hard inquiries stop you from comparing interest rates. FICO gives you a 30-day grace period before certain loan inquiries, like those for mortgage or auto, are reflected in your FICO® credit scores. And FICO may record multiple inquiries for the same type of loans (again, like mortgage and auto) as a single inquiry as long as they’re made within a certain window. This window is typically about 14 days.
Hard and soft inquiries play distinct roles in your credit journey. Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your credit scores, while soft inquiries have no impact. By understanding the differences between these inquiries and their potential effects, you can make informed decisions about your credit and manage it effectively.
Can you describe the impacts on your convoy from the gunfire?
We were a convoy of three cars and two trucks. Only one vehicle was hit, that was the one I was in. Three bullets hit us: one hit the car’s hood, two struck the right-hand rear passenger door where I was sitting, one hit the window, and one hit the door. My colleague in one of the other cars, he saw bullets ricocheting off the ground. Ahead of us at the holding point there was another U. N. convoy from the World Food Programme and the United Nations Office for Project Services. They had a bullet go through the windshield of their fuel truck.
We’re very fortunate that we were in an armored vehicle…Fortunately, we were unharmed.
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.
Hard Pull vs. Soft Pull on Credit Report / Credit Score – (How Hard Inquiry & Soft Inquiry Affect U)
FAQ
What is a soft pull vs hard pull?
How long does a soft credit pull last?
What shows on a soft pull?
Do I need to unfreeze my credit for a soft pull?
What is a hard pull on credit?
As mentioned above, hard pulls are almost always connected to an application for credit of some sort. Credit card issuers generally run hard pulls when you apply for a new card (though there are some exceptions to this). Mortgage and private student loan lenders will also run a hard pull on your credit.
What is a hard pull & a soft pull?
A hard pull results in the lender obtaining your official credit report and credit score from whichever bureau it requested the information. This is a much more in-depth look at your credit history than what might be collected and sent over after a soft pull. When are hard pulls performed?
What does a soft credit pull mean?
Remember that a soft pull on your credit doesn’t necessarily mean you are applying for a loan. Examples of instances where a soft credit pull is used include: Background checks: A soft pull can take place when a third party runs a background check on you.
What is the difference between a soft pull and a credit check?
Let’s dive into the difference between the two. What is a soft pull? A soft pull is when a credit card company or lender checks your credit report as a background check. It’s simply a review of your credit, and there’s no in-depth check, so that’s why your credit isn’t affected.