The Israel-Hamas conflict has entered its 20th day, standing as the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both parties involved. Here are the ten most important updates on the situation.
1. President Joe Biden Expresses Concern Over Accuracy of Palestinian Casualty Count
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden voiced skepticism regarding the accuracy of the Palestinian death toll figures in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas. According to the Gaza health ministry, there have been over 6,500 casualties as a result of Israeli attacks, including around 2,700 children. During a White House press conference, Biden was questioned about whether this death count indicated Israel's compliance with U.S. appeals to minimize civilian casualties during its bombardment of the coastal enclave.
2. Israel's Ambassador Urges Stronger UN Response, Russia and China Veto Resolution
Following Russia and China's veto of a UN resolution condemning Hamas' attacks on Israel, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan suggested that these nations might have responded more forcefully if they had experienced a similar situation. Erdan stated, "In Israel, we are fighting for our survival. If your nations faced a comparable situation, I believe you would react with greater force than Israel." He emphasized that such a barbaric slaughter would necessitate a comprehensive military operation against the responsible terrorists to prevent such atrocities from happening again. Russia and China vetoed the U.S.-authored resolution on the Middle East at the UN Security Council, as reported by TASS.
3. President Biden Calls for Peace Path after Israel-Gaza Crisis
Joe Biden has called for the establishment of a "path toward peace" once the Israel-Gaza crisis comes to an end. The U.S. President reiterated his support for a two-state solution in the conflict-ridden region and stressed the importance of integrating Israel among its Arab neighbors, as reported by Reuters. Biden also reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Israel's defense while encouraging all parties to consider a way forward in the region once the Gaza crisis is resolved.
4. Florida Orders Ban on Pro-Palestinian Student Organizations
Florida is instructing state universities to prohibit pro-Palestinian student organizations from their campuses, citing their alleged support for Hamas as illegal. State university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues stated, "It is a felony under Florida law to ‘knowingly provide material support ... to a designated foreign terrorist organization.'" The affected student groups include 'Students for Justice in Palestine' and 'Palestine Legal.'
5. Israel Considers Delaying Ground Offensive in Gaza
Israel is contemplating postponing a planned ground offensive in Gaza in response to mounting calls for a ceasefire. This decision, reportedly made at the U.S.'s request, aims to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the conflict. During this delay, the U.S. intends to deploy missile defenses to protect its troops in the region. Multiple countries, including the U.S., UK, and Russia, have called for a halt to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, but political and ideological differences persist, leading to varying positions on the matter.
6. President Biden Opposes Retaliatory Attacks in West Bank
President Joe Biden expressed his opposition on Wednesday to retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Biden emphasized, "It has to stop. They have to be held accountable. It has to stop now." He made these remarks at the beginning of a news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was on a state visit to Washington.
7. Japan Calls for Temporary Halt in Israeli Military Operations
Japan has called on Israel to temporarily suspend its military operations in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to reach the region, as reported by Reuters. This request was made during a meeting between Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Israel's ambassador to Japan.
8. Russia Warns of Wider Implications in Israel-Hamas Conflict
Russia issued a warning that the Israel-Hamas conflict could have broader implications beyond the Middle East due to the ongoing delay in critical humanitarian aid reaching the besieged Gaza Strip, as reported by Reuters. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern that the conflict could escalate beyond the Middle East and criticized the punishment of innocent women, children, and elderly individuals in Gaza for the actions of others. Putin stressed the urgent need to stop the bloodshed and violence, as further escalation could lead to grave and extremely dangerous consequences, not limited to the Middle East region. He made these remarks during a meeting with Russian religious leaders of various faiths, according to a Kremlin transcript.
9. United Nations Warns of Fuel Supply Reduction and Gaza Blockade
The United Nations has warned that the Gaza blockade has resulted in a significant reduction in their fuel supply. This situation may require a substantial reduction in their relief efforts in the region, as reported by AP. The warning coincided with hospitals in Gaza facing challenges in treating a large number of injured individuals due to depleting resources.
10. Strike in Nuseirat Refugee Camp Leads to Loss of Family Members
On Wednesday, a strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in the loss of several family members of Wael Dahdouh, one of Al Jazeera TV's correspondents. The Health Ministry in Gaza, under the authority of Hamas, reported that as of Wednesday, the number of Palestinians killed stands at a minimum of 6,546, with 17,439 others wounded. In the occupied West Bank, violence and Israeli raids since October 7 have led to the death of over 100 Palestinians and left 1,650 others wounded, as per media reports.
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