In a crucial development, President Joe Biden held significant discussions with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians and establish secure corridors to separate them from Hamas militants. The White House issued an official statement underlining President Biden’s deep concern about extremist violence against Palestinians and the imperative to enhance stability in the West Bank.
Detailed Updates on Israel-Hamas War:
1. Targeted Strikes in Gaza:Residents report two Israeli military strikes on Rafah in southern Gaza overnight. United Nations officials express concerns, stating there are diminishing safe zones in the besieged territory.
2. Conflict in Khan Younis:Gaza’s second-largest city, Khan Younis, experiences intense fighting amid Israel’s expanding air and ground offensive in the southern region. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians, exacerbating already dire humanitarian conditions.
3 .Mass Displacement:The United Nations reveals that over 80% of Gaza’s population, totaling 1.87 million people, has been forcibly displaced since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas war. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.
4. Casualty Figures: The death toll surpasses 17,100 in Hamas-run Gaza, with more than 46,000 reported wounded. On the Israeli side, around 1,200 casualties are reported, primarily civilians killed during Hamas’ October 7 attack.
5. UN Intervention:UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invokes Article 99 of the UN Charter, urging the UN Security Council to take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
6. Blinken’s Assessment: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken notes a significant “gap” between Israel’s commitments to protect Palestinian civilians and the actual outcomes observed since the initiation of intensive military operations against Hamas.
7. Incident in New York:Outside a Jewish temple in upstate New York, a man fires a shotgun and declares “Free Palestine.” The incident occurs just hours before the beginning of Hanukkah.
8. Netanyahu’s Warning: Prime Minister Netanyahu issues a stark warning, threatening devastation in Beirut and southern Lebanon if Hezbollah engages in a second front in Israel’s war with Hamas.
9. Biden-Netanyahu Discussion:The two leaders discuss ongoing developments in Gaza. President Biden stresses the continuous and sustained flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, welcoming Israel’s decision to ensure fuel levels meet requisite needs. However, he emphasizes the urgent requirement for more assistance across the board.
10. Humanitarian Pause Breakdown: President Biden underscores that Hamas’ refusal to release young women civilian hostages caused a breakdown in the humanitarian pause. Both leaders agree to remain in regular consultation to address the evolving situation.
