Live blog: UN relief chief warns Gaza health sector 'slowly choked off'

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

1843 GMT — The UN relief chief has warned that the health sector in Gaza is getting worse due to the ongoing onslaught by Israel.

"The health sector in Gaza is being slowly choked off as hospitals continue to come under fire. And what happens when the health system collapses?"

"Pregnant mothers can't deliver their babies safely. Children can't get vaccines. The sick and wounded can't get treatment. People die," Martin Griffiths wrote on X. "This war needs to end."

UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said more shelling was reported in the vicinity of the Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al Balah.

"Our humanitarian partners say that as of yesterday, just one-fifth of the 5,000 beds needed to meet trauma and emergency needs in Gaza are available.

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1925 GMT — Palestinians hail South Africa for bringing Gaza 'genocide' case

Dozens of Palestinians gathered in front of the statue of Nelson Mandela in the occupied West Bank to thank South Africa for bringing a "genocide" case against Israel over its bombardment of Gaza.

The crowd waved Palestinian flags, listened to speeches and held signs saying "Stop the genocide" and "Thank you South Africa".

Hearings at the UN's top court will begin on Thursday with South Africa hoping the judges will compel Israel to halt its bombardment.

"It's very important to show appreciation to the people who understand our pain," Ramallah mayor Issa Kass is told AFP after addressing the crowd. "We feel that South Africa listens to our heart."

1912 GMT — US says it 'does not seek conflict' after Houthis claim attack on ship

The US said it "does not seek conflict" after Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed an overnight attack on an American warship in the Red Sea.

That attack marks the latest in a series of strikes in the vital waterway in response to Israeli aggression on Gaza.

"The United States does not seek conflict. We do, however, seek the safe and secure passage of international commerce to the Red Sea, and we're gonna continue to coordinate and consult closely with our allies and partners about the appropriate next steps should these attacks continue," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

"The best solution to this situation not escalating is for the Houthis to stop these attacks. In the interim, since they've shown no predilection to do that, we're going to do everything we have to do to protect shipping in the Red Sea, and I think I'll just gonna leave it there," he added.

1821 GMT — Arab neighbours warn against Israeli reoccupation of Gaza

Egypt and Jordan warned against any Israeli reoccupation in Gaza and appealed for uprooted residents to be allowed to return to their homes as the Arab countries' leaders met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

While Israel presses forward with a military campaign it says will last for months, Abbas, Jordan's King Abdullah, and Egypt's Abdel Fattah el Sisi also restated their rejection of any plans to displace Palestinians from their lands - a risk Egypt says has grown as Israel's aggression against Gaza has driven most Gaza residents southward towards the Egyptian border.

Jordan has been concerned by increased instability and attacks on Palestinians by illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank, with which it shares a border.

1757 GMT — Six killed as Israeli jets bomb ambulance in central Gaza

At least six people were killed in an Israeli air strike on an ambulance in central Gaza, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.

Four Red Crescent members were among the victims in the attack that targeted an ambulance in Deir Al Balah city, the humanitarian organisation said in a statement.

Several ambulances and health care facilities were repeatedly targeted by Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

1720 GMT — Pakistan backs South Africa’s case against Israel at ICJ

Pakistan has extended its support to South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Usman Jadadoon, Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, welcomed the South African initiative to bring Israel's "transgressions" under the Genocide Convention to ICJ.

"Israel’s war in Gaza is a brutal, veritable genocide," said Jadadoon.

He said this "genocidal war" must be stopped.

1705 GMT — Four Palestinian Red Crescent members killed in Israeli strike in central Gaza

Four Palestinian Red Crescent members were killed in an Israeli air strike in central Gaza, the humanitarian organisation said.

The four lost their lives when an Israeli fighter jet struck an ambulance in Deir Al Balah city, the Red Crescent Society said in a statement.

Several ambulances and healthcare facilities were repeatedly targeted by Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

1601 GMT — 3 more journalists killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, death toll rises to 115

Three more Palestinian journalists were killed in fresh Israeli attacks in Gaza, bringing the death toll to 115 since October 7, the government media office said.

A statement by the media office identified the slain journalists as Ahmed Badir, Sherif Okasha, and Heba Al Abadla, without giving any further details.

An earlier statement said Badir was killed in an Israeli air strike on a house adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah in central Gaza.

1553 GMT — Israeli army demolishes thousands of Palestinian homes in Gaza: report

The Israeli army has completed the demolition of thousands of Palestinian homes in Gaza, according to Israeli media.

"The army has completed the demolition of thousands of Palestinian homes that over the years provided sites for launching attacks and monitoring Israeli communities," Yedioth Ahronoth media outlet said.

The demolitions included the eastern urban areas of Al Shuja'iya neighbourhood and the eastern and northern parts of Beit Hanoun.

This operation "will facilitate the safe return of residents of communities near the Gaza border to their homes," the newspaper said.

1550 GMT — Aqaba summit seeks more pressure on Israel to end Gaza assault

Jordan's King Abdullah and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el Sisi stressed at the end of an Arab summit in Aqaba that pressure should be increased to end Israel's aggression against Gaza and protect civilians there.

In a palace statement, both leaders - who attended a three-way meeting with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas - said they rejected any Israeli plans to separate the fate of besieged Gaza from the occupied West Bank, adding the two entities were the basis of a future Palestinian state.

The three leaders rejected what they said were any efforts or proposals aimed at "liquidating the Palestinian cause".

Sisi also said that providing more aid to Palestinians in Gaza requires a "decisive stance" from the international community to push for a ceasefire, according to an Egyptian presidency statement.

1509 GMT — With life-saving missions being scuttled, WHO chief urges Israel to allow delivery of aid to Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief called on Israel to allow the delivery of aid and ensure safe passage to Gaza, saying that over the last two weeks the UN agency had to call off several missions to the besieged enclave.

"WHO has had to cancel six planned missions to northern Gaza since the 26th of December, when we had our last mission, because our requests were rejected and assurances of safe passage were not provided," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

"A mission planned for today has also been cancelled," Tedros added, totalling the number of rejections to seven since late December.

He underlined that the only barrier to delivering humanitarian aid to people in Gaza is access.

1500 GMT — Dozens killed, injured in Israeli strike near Gaza hospital

At least 40 Palestinians have been killed and injured in an Israeli air strike in central Gaza, according to local authorities.

The strike targeted a house near Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the city of Deir Al Balah, a government media office in Gaza said in a statement.

According to the statement, the house attack occurred in an area designated by the Israeli army as a "safe zone." "This proves that there is no safe place in Gaza as claimed by the Israeli occupation," it added.

1458 GMT — China wants Israel to end 'collective punishment' of Palestinians in Gaza

China urged an end to "collective punishment" of Palestinians in Gaza without directly commenting on proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) brought by South Africa.

China has "noted the case," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told Antara News in response to a question about whether Beijing would support South Africa’s case.

"We oppose any action that violates international law and urge parties to the conflict to earnestly implement relevant resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and General Assembly, reach an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and stop the collective punishment against the people of Gaza," said Mao, according to a transcript of her news conference in Beijing.

1237 GMT — A legal battle is set to open at the top UN court over an allegation of Israeli genocide in Gaza

A legal battle over whether Israel's aggression in Gaza amounts to genocide opens Thursday at the United Nations' top court with preliminary hearings into South Africa's call for judges to order an immediate suspension of Israel's military actions.

Israel normally considers UN and international tribunals unfair and biased. But it is sending a strong legal team to the International Court of Justice to defend its military offensive launched in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

Two days of preliminary hearings at the International Court of Justice begin with lawyers for South Africa explaining to judges why the country — long a supporter of the Palestinian cause — has accused Israel of "acts and omissions" that are “genocidal in character” in the Gaza war and has called for an immediate halt to Israel's military actions.

Thursday’s opening hearing is focused on South Africa’s request for the court to impose binding interim orders including that Israel halt its military campaign. A decision will likely take weeks.

1209 GMT — Hamas criticises US opposition to South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at world court

Hamas described the US position on South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as showing "contempt for international law and (being) an American attempt to disrupt it."

In a statement, the Hamas group said the comments by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken regarding the lawsuit filed by South Africa in the ICJ against Israel to look into the crimes of genocide in Gaza "is a disregard for international law, and an American attempt to obstruct the tools of international justice from carrying out their role."

Hamas called on the US "to stop its policies," which said it prolongs the aggression and genocide in Gaza.

The US said earlier that a "genocide" case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is "meritless" and "galling."

1123 GMT — Death toll from Israeli assault on Gaza hits 23,357

The Health Ministry in Gaza has said at least 23,357 people have been killed in more than three months of Israeli aggression on besieged Gaza.

The toll includes 147 deaths over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, while 59,410 people have been wounded across the Palestinian enclave since October 7.

"Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads and rescuers can't reach them," the statement said.

About 85 percent of Gaza residents have been displaced by the Israeli onslaught, while all of them are food insecure, according to the UN. Hundreds of thousands of people are living without shelter, and ⁠less than half of aid trucks are entering the territory than before the start of the conflict.

1025 GMT — Israeli army detains 26 more Palestinians in West Bank

The Israeli army detained 26 more Palestinians in various areas of the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

According to a joint statement issued by the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the new arrests bring the total number of Palestinians detained by the Israeli forces since October 7 to 5,780.

During the arrest campaigns, the Israeli soldiers also beat, abused Palestinians, and conducted field interrogations, in addition to damaging their homes and other properties, the statement added.

In its annual report, the commission said the total number of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails at the end of December 2023 reached 8,800, including 80 women.

0520 GMT — Blinken meets Abbas as Israel continues its war in Palestine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to hold talks with the head of the Palestinian Authority, which Washington hopes could govern Gaza after Israel's war on the enclave ends.

The United States' top diplomat was on his fourth crisis visit to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

Blinken told a news conference afterwards that the United States would continue to support its ally, but also called on Israel to do more to protect those trapped in the besieged Palestinian territory, saying the "daily toll on civilians in Gaza, particularly children, is far too high".

Washington has floated a post-war scenario in which a reformed Palestinian Authority, currently led by President Mahmud Abbas, governs Gaza in addition to the occupied West Bank.

0759 GMT — 13 Palestinians injured during the Israeli army raid into Nablus

Thirteen Palestinians were injured, mostly by live ammunition, during the Israeli army's raid into the city of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated in a press release that its ambulance crews "dealt with 13 injuries during the Israeli army's incursion into the city of Nablus."

0617 GMT —Israeli army shoots three Palestinians, killing one in unprovoked situation

Security camera video from a West Bank village shows a young man standing in a central square when he is suddenly shot and drops to the ground. Two others rushing to his aid are also hit, leaving a 17-year-old dead, moments before Israeli military jeeps roll in.

An Associated Press review of the video and interviews with the two wounded survivors showed Israeli soldiers opened fire on the three when they did not appear to pose a threat. One of the wounded Palestinians was shot a second time after he got up and tried to hop away.

The fatal shooting in the village of Beit Rima is the latest in a series of incidents in which soldiers appeared to fire without provocation, a trend Palestinians say has worsened since Israel's war on Gaza.

0200 GMT — Israel tells hospitals to prepare for 'thousands' of injured

Israel's Health Ministry has ordered hospitals in the north of the country to prepare for the possibility of receiving "thousands of injured" people as tensions with Lebanon's Hezbollah group increase, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported.

KAN said the ministry has asked medical centres in the north to prepare for the possibility of going into "deserted island mode," that is being left without medical supplies, medicine and food for days.

The ministry also asked hospitals to go into an emergency mode within a few hours and requested that they maintain a 50 percent occupancy rate.

Tensions have flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.

0130 GMT — Allies shoot down Houthi missiles, drones in Red Sea: US military

US and UK forces have shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by Yemen-based Houthis into the Southern Red Sea towards international shipping lanes, the US military's Central Command said.

US Central Command said 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by US and British forces. It said there were no injuries or damage reported, adding that this was the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November 19.

Houthis have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in protest against Israel's war in Gaza. Various shipping lines have suspended operations, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

The Houthis have vowed to continue attacks until Israel halts its brutal war on Gaza, and warned that it would attack US warships if it was targeted.

0130 GMT — Israel kills 15 more civilians in Gaza's south — Palestine media

Israel has killed at least 15 civilians and wounded many others in an air strike that targeted an apartment located in a building west of Rafah city, in southern Gaza, official WAFA news agency reported.

Citing medical sources, WAFA said 15 bodies arrived at the Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah after Israeli shelling of the residential building, adding the building is owned by the Nofal family in of the Tel al Sultan neighbourhood.

2324 GMT — Saudi-Israel deal won't sacrifice Palestine's interests: envoy

Saudi Arabia is interested in normalising ties with Israel after its brutal war on besieged Gaza, but any deal must lead to the creation of a Palestinian state, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UK has said.

A normalisation deal was "close," but Saudi Arabia paused US-brokered talks after October 7, Prince Khalid bin Bandar told the BBC in a radio interview.

Saudi Arabia still believes in establishing ties with Israel despite the "deplorable" casualty figures in Gaza caused by Israel, but it would not "come at the cost of the Palestinian people," the ambassador said.

A deal "was close, there is no question. For us, the final endpoint definitely included nothing less than an independent state of Palestine.

So, while we still — going forward after 7 October — believe in normalisation, it does not come at the cost of the Palestinian people," he was quoted as saying.

He added that "absolutely there is interest" among Saudi Arabia's leaders for an agreement.

"We were close to normalisation, therefore close to a Palestinian state. One doesn't come without the other. The sequencing, how it is managed, that is what was being discussed," the ambassador said.

0001 GMT — Türkiye slams inaction over Gaza, says use of veto 'a detrimental tool'

The use of the veto at the United Nations Security Council has become an "arbitrary and detrimental tool," Türkiye's deputy UN representative has said.

Speaking at a General Assembly meeting, Asli Guven said the need for Security Council reform is "indisputable and undeferrable" and the reform process needs to address and eliminate the current shortcomings of the use of the veto.

"The use of the veto has become an arbitrary and detrimental tool, whereby the common good is sacrificed over individual interests," said Guven. "The inaction over Gaza has been another case in point.”

"The pursuit of self-interests in this body not only undermines multilateralism but also weakens the credibility of the whole UN system," she added.

She said the Security Council was unable to adopt a single resolution on Gaza for over a month, despite calls by the international community and millions of people who took to the streets around the world.

"And the two resolutions that were eventually adopted failed to call for what is fundamentally needed to stop the bloodshed in Gaza: an immediate ceasefire," she added.

2311 GMT — Israel denies talking with African countries on Gaza expulsions

An Israeli official has denied reports that Israel is talking with African countries about expelling Palestinians to the continent.

"In response to publications regarding this issue, it should be noted that Israel is not engaged in examining the feasibility of transferring Palestinians from Gaza to countries in Africa," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat said on X.

His remarks came as many Israeli officials called for the expulsion of Palestinians from besieged Gaza, annexation of the enclave and return of illegal Jewish settlements there.

Last week, the Times of Israel newspaper reported that Israel is in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] and other countries about the so-called "voluntary migration" plan.

2242 GMT — Muslim groups urge Canada to support investigation into Israeli 'war crimes'

Muslim organisations have issued a call for Canada to support an investigation into "Israeli war crimes."

The appeal came in the form of a letter under the umbrella of the National Council of Canadian Muslims [NCCM] to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"250 Canadian civil society groups and community organisations are issuing a joint open letter to the Prime Minister, asking Canada to back the proceedings at the International Court of Justice [ICJ] regarding Israel’s conduct in Gaza," the NCCM said in a post on X.

Five countries – South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti – have asked the court to look into alleged Israeli war crimes. The NCCM and signatory organisations to the letter want Canada to add its voice.

"Canada must support an impartial investigation into possible war crimes committed in Gaza," the NCCM post said. "Canada must support accountability. It is time to recognise ICJ jurisdiction on this issue."

"Thousands upon thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed by the bombardment and invasion by the military of Israel," the letter to Trudeau states. "This is why you must support the latest case in the International Court of Justice [ICJ], which holds states accountable according to international law, that looks into the mass violence in Gaza."

For our live updates from Tuesday, January 9, click here.