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.
The short answer is: it depends. Although paying off a charge-off can sometimes raise your credit score, it’s not a surefire method to increase your creditworthiness. Let’s examine charge-offs in more detail, including how settling them could affect your credit score.
Understanding Charge-Offs
A charge-off occurs when a creditor deems a debt uncollectible and writes it off as a loss. This typically happens after 180 days of missed payments for revolving credit accounts like credit cards and 120 days for installment loans. A charge-off can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, negatively impacting your credit score.
Settling a Charge-Off: The Potential Benefits
In order to settle a charge-off, you must bargain with the creditor to close the account in exchange for a smaller payment. Although the charge-off is still visible on your credit report, doing this may raise your score in a number of ways.
- Reduces the outstanding debt: Paying off a portion of the debt lowers your overall credit utilization ratio, a key factor in credit scoring. A lower utilization ratio indicates responsible credit management and can boost your score.
- Improves payment history: Settling the charge-off demonstrates your willingness to resolve outstanding debts, potentially mitigating the negative impact of the missed payments.
- Removes the “charged-off” status: In some cases, settling the debt may lead the creditor to update the account status from “charged-off” to “paid,” which can be less detrimental to your credit score.
The Potential Drawbacks of Settling a Charge-Off
Although there are some advantages to paying off a charge-off, it’s important to weigh the potential disadvantages as well:
- Negative impact on credit report: Even after settling, the charge-off remains on your credit report for seven years, albeit with a “paid” status. This can still negatively impact your credit score, though to a lesser extent than an unpaid charge-off.
- Tax implications: The forgiven debt amount may be considered taxable income, requiring you to report it on your tax return.
- Potential damage to future credit: Settling a debt can be viewed negatively by some lenders, potentially hindering your chances of obtaining future credit or loans.
Factors to Consider Before Settling a Charge-Off
Before deciding to settle a charge-off, carefully consider the following factors:
- The amount of debt: If the settlement amount is significantly lower than the original debt, it might be worth considering. However, if the difference is minimal, paying the full amount might be more beneficial for your credit score.
- Your credit score: If your credit score is already low, settling the charge-off might not have a substantial impact. In such cases, focusing on improving your credit through other means might be more effective.
- Your financial situation: Ensure you can afford the settlement amount without jeopardizing your financial stability.
Alternatives to Settling a Charge-Off
Instead of settling, consider these alternatives:
- Negotiate a payment plan: Contact the creditor and discuss the possibility of setting up a payment plan to gradually pay off the debt.
- Dispute the charge-off: If you believe the charge-off is inaccurate or due to an error, you can dispute it with the credit bureaus.
- Improve your credit utilization: Focus on lowering your credit utilization ratio by paying down other debts and using less credit.
Settling a charge-off can be a viable option to improve your credit score, but it’s not a guaranteed solution. Carefully weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision. Consider exploring alternative options and consult with a financial advisor for personalized guidance. Remember, responsible credit management and consistent on-time payments are the most effective ways to build and maintain a healthy credit score.
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.
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).
Should I pay charged off accounts to raise credit score
FAQ
Will my credit score go up if I pay a charge-off?
Will my credit score go up if I settle?
Will my credit score go up if I settle a default?
How long does it take to rebuild credit after charge-off?
Can you raise your credit score after a charge off?
The older an item is on your credit report, the less impact it has on your score. That means you can raise your score even after a charge off if you manage finances and credit responsibly going forward. However, an unpaid charge off still looks bad to potential creditors and can limit your options when it comes to loans such as mortgages.
Will paying a charge-off improve my credit score?
Paying a charge-off also will not improve your credit score – at least not immediately. Over time, your credit score can improve after a charge-off if you continue paying all your other accounts on time and handle your debt responsibly.
Does paying off collection accounts improve credit scores?
Having debt in collections shows a history of late or missed payments and may harm credit scores. For some credit scoring models, paying off collection accounts may improve credit scores. FICO® Score 9, FICO Score 10, VantageScore® 3.0 and VantageScore 4.0 credit scoring models penalize unpaid collection accounts.
Can paying off debt improve your credit score?
Paying off collection accounts can have a lot of benefits, including potentially improving some of your credit scores. If you want to learn more about managing debt, check out these three strategies for paying off debt. Depending on the scoring model, paying off debt in collections may improve your credit score.