Escalation in Gaza: Israeli Strikes Continue as UN Security Council Delays Humanitarian Vote
Israeli forces intensified their offensive in Gaza on Tuesday, launching deadly strikes and targeting two operational hospitals in the north of the region. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council deferred voting on a resolution aimed at facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza amid a potential cessation of hostilities.
An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Rafah, southern Gaza, resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 27 individuals, including women and children. Another strike claimed the lives of at least three people. The Health Ministry in Gaza reports nearly 20,000 Palestinian casualties since Israel's declaration of war on Hamas. The distinction between civilian and combatant deaths is not made. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble.
Israel reports 132 soldiers lost in its ground offensive, initiated after a Hamas raid on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, predominantly civilians, and around 240 hostages.
Diplomats at the UN Security Council engaged in negotiations on a Gaza humanitarian resolution, striving to avoid a potential US veto.US envoys working on a new hostage release deal and de-escalation efforts in the conflict.Some observers decrying Israel's killing of three hostages, citing concerns of excessive force directed at Palestinians.Yemen's Houthi attacks on commercial ships causing disruptions in the vital Red Sea corridor.For more updates, refer to AP’s coverage.
In the realm of diplomacy, the UN Security Council, aiming to circumvent a potential US veto, has postponed voting for a second consecutive day on an Arab-sponsored resolution seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza amid a potential halt in hostilities. Negotiations continue, with the US requesting additional time. Efforts are underway to persuade the
UN Security Council Amends Resolution, Calls for Urgent Hostility Suspension and Aid Access
In a crucial development, the UN Security Council has modified the resolution, now calling for the "urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities." Notably, the United States, traditionally resistant to language regarding a cessation of hostilities, is currently reviewing the resolution's modalities.
The revised draft also includes a provision for the UN to establish a mechanism to monitor aid deliveries. However, this may pose challenges as it sidesteps the current Israeli inspection process for aid entering Gaza. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized the importance of understanding the context of the conflict, highlighting Israel's right to defend itself against threats posed by Hamas.
Meanwhile, Mirjana Spoljaric, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, addressed recent discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following Netanyahu's urging for increased public pressure on Hamas, Spoljaric emphasized the ICRC's commitment to impartiality and neutrality, stating that public denouncements have not proven effective. She highlighted the significance of confidentiality and neutrality in the ICRC's operations, despite facing criticism for these principles.
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These events provide a snapshot of the ongoing complexities, diplomatic efforts, and human tragedies amid the conflict.
In response to the heartbreaking aftermath of an Israeli airstrike, Mahmoud Zoarab, wounded in the attack that claimed the lives of his children, cradled his son Ahmed and wept beside the shrouded body of his daughter Aisha. The extended family, asleep when the airstrike hit their apartment building, faced a devastating loss, with 27 people killed, many of whom were members of the Zoarab family. Aisha's grandmother, Suzan, expressed grief and lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, questioning the achievement of such actions. Dozens of mourners held a funeral prayer before burying the victims in a nearby cemetery.
This response focuses on the human tragedy and the impact on the Zoarab family following the Israeli airstrike.
The United States vetoed a Security Council resolution backed by almost all council members and numerous nations, demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. The General Assembly, with overwhelming support, passed a similar resolution on December 12. The Security Council had previously adopted a resolution on November 15, calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses," unhindered aid deliveries, and the unconditional release of hostages, with the U.S. abstaining. The draft resolution for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" may undergo revisions, possibly to a weaker term like "suspension," to secure U.S. support. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, while General Assembly resolutions serve as significant indicators of world opinion.
In two instances this fall, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, faced decisions to remove posts related to the Israel-Hamas war but ended up reinstating them on its own. The posts depicted Palestinian casualties and an Israeli hostage, and Meta added warning screens due to violent content. The Oversight Board, in its first expedited ruling taking 12 days, urged Meta to reconsider its use of automated tools for content removal, emphasizing the risk of losing valuable posts that raise awareness about the conflict and may contain evidence of human rights violations.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army has suspended a group of soldiers recorded smoking a water pipe and joking in front of blindfolded and detained Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin. The video, widely shared on social media, led to the soldiers' suspension pending further notice after a disciplinary hearing. Additionally, a group of U.S. Congress members, all Democratic representatives and veterans, urged President Joe Biden to use leverage to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change the military strategy, citing the unacceptable civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The lawmakers emphasized that the current approach does not align with American interests or the cause of security for Israel.
In a letter to President Joe Biden, six U.S. Congress members, all Democratic representatives and veterans, emphasized the inadequacy of military force alone in countering a terror ideology. Drawing from personal and often painful experiences fighting America's war on terror, the lawmakers urged Biden to leverage all available means to achieve an immediate and significant shift in military strategy and tactics in Gaza.
At the United Nations, the Security Council has postponed a vote on an Arab-sponsored resolution, aiming to halt hostilities in Gaza to avoid another U.S. veto. The resolution initially called for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in need. However, discussions indicate potential revisions, such as changing the language to a "suspension" of hostilities, to secure U.S. support. While Security Council resolutions are legally binding, their practical impact often depends on the willingness of parties to adhere to the council's requests. The General Assembly, on the other hand, overwhelmingly approved a similar resolution on December 12, reflecting a significant global opinion.
In conclusion, the letter from U.S. Congress members to President Biden underscores the limitations of military force alone in addressing terror ideologies, urging a significant shift in military strategy in Gaza. Meanwhile, at the United Nations, the Security Council's delay in voting on a resolution reflects ongoing negotiations to secure U.S. support and potentially revise language to a "suspension" of hostilities. Despite the U.S. veto of a previous resolution, the General Assembly's approval highlights the global sentiment calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. The situation remains complex, with diplomatic efforts continuing to navigate the challenges of the conflict.