22 December 2023 • 10:05am
9:56AM
Pictured: Israelis hold pictures of Palestinians killed in the conflict as they call for a ceasefire outside the US consulate in Jerusalem
9:40AM
UN Security Council aims to vote Friday to boost aid to Gaza
A United Nations Security Council vote on a bid to boost aid to the Gaza Strip was delayed by another day to Friday even though Israel’s ally the United States, which holds veto power, won changes it wanted and said it could now support the proposal.
After nearly two weeks of negotiations and already several days of delays on a vote, an agreement was struck late Thursday with the US that could allow a resolution drafted by United Arab Emirates to be adopted.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters that it was “a resolution that we can support”, but she declined to specify if that meant the US would vote in favour or abstain, which would allow the resolution to be adopted.
9:05AM
‘More than 20,000 Palestinians killed and 53,000 wounded since Oct 7’
The Gaza health ministry said 20,057 Palestinians have been killed and 53,320 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7.
Israel is facing pressure from the White House to engage in precise targeting of Hamas leaders rather than widespread bombing and ground operations.
The former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Israeli government’s “killing rage” in Gaza will fuel the conflict for another 50 years.
8:44AM
‘Rockets fired towards Western Galilee,’ says Israel’s Army Radio
Israel’s Army Radio says 24 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Western Galilee in northwest Israel this morning.
8:28AM
UN warns of Gaza famine risk as Security Council resolution faces vote
The United Nations warned ahead of an expected Security Council vote on Friday that the Israel-Hamas war was pushing Gaza towards famine.
Separate diplomatic efforts were also under way for a fresh pause in the worst-ever Gaza war, which was triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel in October.
With conditions deteriorating in the territory, the UN Security Council has been locked in negotiations on a resolution that would boost aid deliveries.