Tuesday, 19 December 2023

HAMAS OFFICIALS SAY THAT 20 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN RAFAH AS THE UN DISCUSSES A CEASEFIRE VOTE

  Hamas officials say at least 20 people have been killed in the southern Gazan city of Rafah after overnight strikes.Without specifically commenting on the reported incident, the Israeli army says it targeted and killed a "Hamas financier" in Rafah

  1. The UN Security Council is due to vote later on a new ceasefire motion - reports say the language has been watered down to a "suspension" of hostilities to get US backing
  2. Meanwhile, the US says 10 countries have agreed to form a coalition to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea after attacks by Houthi rebels
  3. The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been targeting ships they believe are bound for Israel
  4. Last night, three elderly men who were taken hostage were shown in a new Hamas video. The Israeli military said the video was "despicable"
  5. Hamas broke through Israel's heavily guarded perimeter on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages - some of whom were released during a brief truce
  6. The health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, says more than 19,400 people have been killed and 52,000 injured in the enclave since the start of the Gaza war.
  7. IDF says it targeted and killed 'Hamas financier' in Rafah

    The IDF says it killed a "Hamas financier" called Subhi Ferwana in a "targeted operation" in the middle of Rafah.

    As we've been reporting, the Hamas-run health ministry says at least 20 people were killed in Rafah after Israeli strikes, but the IDF's statement doesn't specifically address this.

    The Israeli army statement reads: "Hamas's military wing depends on these funds transferred to them via financiers and its capabilities are consequently diminished without them.

    "Ferwana transferred funds to Hamas’s military wing during the war and was aware that these funds would be vital for continuing the wing’s ability to fight."

  8. In Pictures: Aftermath of Rafah strike

    The Hamas-run health ministry says 20 people have been killed and dozens more wounded after overnight strikes hit the city of Rafah in southern Israel.

    Palestinian news agency Wafa says journalist Adel Zourub is among the dead. It is not yet known which news outlet he worked for.

    Without specifically commenting on the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it carried out a "targeted operation" in the middle of Rafah, killing a "Hamas financier" called Subhi Ferwana.

    A woman inspects a destroyed building in Rafah, Gaza
    People stand on the edge of a crater in Rafah, Gaza
    People gather at the site of an air strike in Rafah, Gaza
  9. Hamas-run health ministry says 13 Palestinians killed in Jabalia

    At least 13 Palestinians have been killed, and 75 others wounded, in an Israeli strike on the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

    In a post on social media, the department said dozens were "heavily" wounded.

    Israel is yet to respond to the claims.

    It comes a day after at least 110 people were reported to have been killed in Jabalia.

    At 1.4-square kilometres, Jabalia refugee camp is the largest of eight camps in Gaza and has been home to some 116,000 registered refugees. The UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, has defined its residents as refugees since they began settling there after the 1948 war.

    Israel's military ordered the evacuation of the camp, along with other areas in the north, back in October.

  10. Change of mood at UN ahead of Gaza vote - former UK intelligence chief

    John Sawyers pictured in 2016

    Sir John Sawyers, a former chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service and former permanent representative of the UK to the United Nations, has been speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today ahead of an expected UN vote calling for some kind of ceasefire.

    Sawyers said there has been a change of mood in the UN, which has been brought about "by the continued deaths of Palestinian civilians and of course the tragic shooting of three Israeli hostages by their own side".

    Asked whether the UK could have a public difference from the US on the security council, Sawyers recalled the last security council vote on the situation in Gaza - where US vetoed and the UK abstained.

    The draft resolution originally called for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities", to allow unhindered access to deliver humanitarian aid to Gazans. But reports say that the language may be watered down to a "suspension" of hostilities, to get US backing.

    Sawyers said diplomats drafting the resolution are doing what they can to at least get an American abstention – which would allow it to pass.

  11. FULL REPORT AND MORE UPDATES AT: Israel-Gaza live news: Hamas officials say 20 killed in Rafah as UN discusses ceasefire vote - BBC News

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