The Current Situation in Gaza
Israel continues its assault on Hamas rulers in Gaza, stating that it may last for weeks or months. Ahead of a non-binding vote at the United Nations later on Tuesday, Israel and the United States face global calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
According to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory, more than 17,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, about two-thirds of whom are women and children. Approximately 90% of the 2.3 million residents of Gaza have been displaced within the besieged territory, where UN agencies say there is no safe place to escape to. With very little humanitarian aid reaching a small part of Gaza, residents are facing severe shortages of food, water, and other basic goods.
Human and Military Losses
Israel claims that 97 of its soldiers have died in the ground assault following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and about 240 hostages being taken. Qatar, which has played a key role in mediating, states that efforts to stop the war and secure the release of all hostages will continue, but willingness to discuss a ceasefire is dwindling.
Current Events in the War
Israeli forces have attacked a hospital in northern Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Ashraf al-Qidra, stated that Israeli forces forced all men at Kamal Adwan Hospital, including doctors, to gather in the courtyard after entering the facility on Tuesday. He called for intervention from the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Israeli military did not immediately respond. They say they are gathering men in northern Gaza while searching for Hamas fighters. Images and videos circulated online show detainees held naked under their underwear, restrained and blindfolded. Some of those released say they were beaten and denied food and water.
Surgeon Injured Outside Hospital in Northern Gaza
A surgeon was injured after being shot from outside a hospital in northern Gaza besieged by Israeli forces, according to Doctors Without Borders. The organization reported that the shooting occurred on Monday at Al-Awda Hospital, and that five hospital staff members at Al-Awda, including two of its doctors, have been killed while caring for patients since the war began. Israeli forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tens of thousands of Palestinians remain in northern Gaza, even after Israeli evacuation orders and ongoing airstrikes that have destroyed entire neighborhoods. Humanitarian aid has been virtually denied access to northern Gaza, and the healthcare system has almost collapsed.
Missile Strikes Oil Tanker Near Yemen
Houthi rebels are suspected of launching a missile at a Norwegian-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, according to authorities. The attack on the oil and chemicals tanker, Stranda, expands the Iran-backed rebels’ campaign targeting vessels near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by hitting a ship with no clear ties to Israel. This threatens cargo and energy shipments coming from the Suez Canal and extends the international impact of the war between Israel and Hamas playing out in the Gaza Strip. The Houthi military spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, issued a video statement claiming that the rebels fired at the vessel only when it “refused all warning calls.”
The attacks and military escalation come amid increasing global calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in the region.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-12-12-2023-1824ba907c86f7202d4a3ac532ae8d4d
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