Syrian rebels have captured at least six towns in the central province of Hama, in one more sign that the government of Bashar Al-Assad is losing control. The latest gains give the rebels control of a large stretch of territory from the Turkish border. The rebels already control much of the northern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. Assad retains control in most of Damascus. The rebel gains came as the United Nations launched what it called its “largest short-term humanitarian appeal ever,” for $1.5 billion to help millions of Syrians suffering from a “dramatically deteriorating” humanitarian organization. Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called on the UN to intervene with Israel to allow thousands of Palestinians from Syria to enter the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Palestinians have fled the Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus in recent days. Palestinian officials say more than 700 Palestinians have been killed in Syria since the fighting began, out of a total of almost 500,000. Palestinian officials say they are prepared to receive the refugees but Israel must give them permission to enter the West Bank and Gaza Strip.