US criticises Israel over Gaza civilian toll; Kerem Shalom border crossing to open
Criticises a week into Israel’s ground offensive in southern Gaza, considered to be its bloodiest to date, all-weather ally the United States chastised the Israeli military, saying there is a disconnect between the government’s claimed goals to protect people and the casualties. “As we stand here almost a week into this campaign into the south… it remains imperative that Israel put a premium on civilian protection,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at a press conference in Washington on Thursday.
“And there does remain a gap between Criticises the intent to protect civilians and the actual results that we’re seeing on the ground,” he said. His remarks came as US President Joe Biden “emphasised the critical need to protect civilians and separate the civilian population from Hamas, including through corridors that allow people to move safely from defined areas of hostilities.”
However, America continues to oppose requests for a ceasefire, particularly from Arab states, claiming that it will benefit only Hamas. It did not agree on a timetable for the end of the war.
“Egypt and the UN have lobbied Israel to expedite an inspection process that requires the vehicles to drive to Egypt’s border with Israel before looping Criticises back to Rafah.” According to Reuters, “the number of trucks crossing daily has dropped to less than 100, from nearly 200 during a November 24-December 1 truce.”
In New York, shots were fired outside a Jewish temple.
According to US media, two shots were fired outside a Jewish temple in upstate New York only hours before the start of the Hanukkah season on Thursday. According to police, the gunman, a 28-year-old local, was holding a shotgun and shouting “Free Palestine” as he was apprehended.
There have been no reported injuries. The shooting outside Temple Israel occurred around 2 p.m. local time. According to the Associated Press, a passerby approached the gunman near the temple around 10 minutes after the rounds were fired. According to Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins, the man dropped the shotgun before authorities arrived and apprehended him.According to the Associated Press, “we were told by responding officers that he made a comment, ‘Free Palestine,'” Hawkins said. The chief stated that the incident was being investigated as a hate crime and that no additional people were engaged.
What is UN Charter Article 99, which has been invoked for the first time in decades as Israel attacks Gaza?
In the midst of Israel’s continued military attacks on the Gaza Strip, notably in its southern sector, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invoked UN Charter Article 99 in an attempt to establish a truce.
Article 99 reads as follows: “The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.” This is explained by Rishika Singh.
A survivor recalls his 50 days under Hamas captivity.
Anucha Angkaew, a Thai farm labourer, expected to encounter Israeli forces when he raced out of the bunker where he had been sheltering from missiles near Israel’s border with Gaza on Oct. 7. Instead, Anucha and his five Thai colleagues were confronted by ten armed terrorists, whom he recognised as Hamas because of the Palestine flags on their sleeves.
“We yelled ‘Thailand, Thailand,'” Anucha, a soft-spoken 28-year-old with a wispy goatee, explained. “But they didn’t care.” Two of the six Thais were slain soon after, including Anucha’s companion, who was shot dead in front of him in an act of arbitrary violence. The remainder were pushed onto a truck for a 30-minute journey into Gaza.
An Indian soldier was among the Israelis slain in Gaza.
According to community members, a 34-year-old Indian-origin Israeli soldier was murdered this week amid combat in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Master Sgt. (res.) Gil Daniels of Ashdod was killed in Gaza on Tuesday, and his funeral was held on Wednesday at the military cemetery in his hometown, they stated. Gil was one of two soldiers killed during battle in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israel Defence Forces.