In the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, tensions have escalated on the 22nd day as Israeli military forces have escalated their airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, further isolating the region by cutting off communications. Here are the top 11 updates on this unfolding situation:
1. UN General Assembly Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Truce
Amid growing concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict might lead to a broader regional conflict, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has issued a call for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip. The resolution also demands unrestricted access for humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip and the protection of civilians. The UNGA's resolution received significant support with 121 votes in favor, 44 abstentions, and 14 'no' votes, including the United States and Israel. India initially abstained but later changed its vote to 'yes' due to technical difficulties. This move by the UNGA followed four previous failed attempts by the Security Council to take action in the past two weeks.
2. UNGA Urges Release of Civilians Held Captive
As the conflict reached its 22nd day, the UN General Assembly issued a statement calling for "the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive." Notably, the text does not mention Hamas by name.
3. India Abstains from UNGA Resolution
India abstained from voting on the UNGA resolution that sought an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict, along with calling for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
4. Hamas and Palestinian Authority Welcome Humanitarian Truce Resolution
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority welcomed the UN General Assembly's resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza. Hamas has called for the immediate implementation of the truce to allow the entry of fuel and humanitarian aid for civilians.
5. Israeli Military Disrupts Gaza's Communications
On Friday, Israel severed internet and communications in the Gaza Strip, a move that suggests the Israeli military is approaching a potential all-out invasion of Gaza, with the objective of defeating the ruling Hamas militant group.
6. WHO Loses Contact with Gaza Ground Operations
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern about losing contact with WHO staff, health facilities, health workers, and other humanitarian partners operating on the ground in Gaza.
7. Palestinian Ministry Appeals for International Intervention
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has urgently called for international intervention to halt the "rapid and dangerous developments" in Israel's offensive against the Gaza Strip.
8. High Casualty Toll in Gaza
The health ministry in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, reports that at least 7,326 people have lost their lives in Israel's retaliatory strikes since the attack on October 7.
9. US Airstrikes in Eastern Syria
In response to a series of drone and missile attacks on US bases and personnel in the region, US fighter jets carried out airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. These retaliatory strikes mark an escalation of tensions in the broader region.
10. Humanitarian Crisis Looms in Gaza
Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, has expressed grave concerns that the outcome of Israel's ground offensive in Gaza will result in a "humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions for years to come."
11. Safety Concerns for Journalists in Gaza
Israel's military has issued a warning to international news organizations, Reuters and Agence France Presse, indicating that it cannot guarantee the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip, which is currently under Israeli bombardment.
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