Introduction
Israel has announced that it is prepared to fight for several months or more to defeat Hamas rulers in Gaza, as aerial bombardments and artillery fire intensify in the ground operation. Qatar, which has played a key role in mediating, says efforts to stop the war and secure the release of all hostages will continue, but readiness to discuss a ceasefire is waning. Israel faces international outrage after its military operation has killed more than 17,700 Palestinians in Gaza, about two-thirds of whom are women and children, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. About 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million has been displaced within the besieged territory, where UN agencies say there is nowhere safe to flee to.
European Diplomacy Calls for New Sanctions on Hamas
The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Italy are calling for the swift adoption of new European Union sanctions against Hamas for the “appalling and indiscriminate terrorist attacks” it launched against Israel on October 7. In a letter from the three ministers to Josep Borrell, the EU foreign affairs chief, they stated that “the rapid adoption of this sanctions regime will allow us to send a strong political message about the EU’s commitment against Hamas and our solidarity with Israel.” Potential sanctions were not specified in the letter, but it stated they should be able to target Hamas members and affiliated groups and their supporters. The ministers expressed general support for the framework that Borrell proposed last week.
UN General Assembly Votes on Ceasefire Resolution
The UN General Assembly held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to vote on a draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Assembly President Dennis Francis sent a message to the 193 UN member states on Sunday indicating that the meeting had been requested by the Arab group of 22 countries and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, told the press that the draft resolution to be voted on Tuesday afternoon is similar to a Security Council resolution that was rejected by the United States on Friday. Mansour stated that this resolution was sponsored by 103 countries and hopes for more sponsors and a high vote for the General Assembly resolution when it is voted on. There are no vetoes in the General Assembly, but unlike the Security Council, its resolutions are not legally binding. However, they are still important as an indicator of global opinion.
Blanken Defends Sale of Tank Ammunition to Israel Without Congressional Approval
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the sale of tank ammunition to Israel in emergency situations and also called for Congress to quickly approve more than $100 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine, and other national security priorities. Blinken stated that the needs of Israeli military operations in Gaza justified the rare decision to bypass Congress. He said, “Israel is in a fight now with Hamas” during television interviews on Sunday. “We want to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas.” Blinken emphasized that tank ammunition and related support constitute only a small part of the arms sales to Israel and that the rest must be reviewed by Congress. He stated, “It is very important that Congress’s voice is heard on this matter.” The decision to proceed with the sale of over $106 million in tank ammunition comes as the larger aid package being proposed by the Biden administration relates to discussions on immigration policy and border security in the U.S.
Success
The Pope on the Causes of War
Pope Francis has asked for continued prayers for the peoples suffering from war. The pope said, “We are approaching Christmas. Will we be able, with God’s help, to take concrete steps towards peace?” during his weekly appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. “It’s not easy, we know that; some conflicts have deep historical roots.” He said, “But we also have witnesses of men and women who have worked with wisdom and patience for peaceful coexistence.” He called for “every effort to face and remove the causes of conflicts.” Francis also appealed for the protection of civilians, hospitals, and places of worship, ensuring the release of hostages and providing humanitarian aid.
French Warship Attacked by Drones
France says one of its warships in the Red Sea was attacked by drones coming from Yemen and shot them down. The Ministry of Armed Forces did not specify in a short statement on Sunday who launched the two drones at the French naval frigate Languedoc on Saturday night. They stated that they came directly towards the ship two hours apart from the direction of Yemen. The ministry said the warship intercepted and destroyed both at about 110 kilometers (70 miles) off the port of Hodeidah, Yemen. They did not mention the weapons that the Languedoc used to shoot down the drones. The frigate is on a mission for the French Navy in the Red Sea.
Men and Boys in Gaza Report Being Beaten by Israeli Forces
Several men and a teenage boy who were released after five days of detention and interrogation by Israeli forces on Saturday said they were beaten and provided only small amounts of water, often being denied the use of the bathroom. They spoke to the press associated with the project in a hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Many of them had bruises on their bodies or deep wounds from tape. The Israeli military did not provide an immediate comment when asked about the alleged abuse. The released detainees shed light on what appears to be a military practice expanding to arrest teenage boys and men while troops sweep through neighborhoods. Earlier this week, images surfaced of soldiers guarding dozens of men who were kneeling or sitting on the streets, detained in their underwear with their hands tied behind their backs. The government spokesperson said on Friday that those gathered were being interrogated to determine if they had connections to Hamas fighters. The released detainees on Saturday stated that they were pulled from a building in the Shuja’iyya area of Gaza City, a site of fierce battles in recent days.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-12-11-2023-c70467caf6334ec1fc12c7adf6a6b5cf
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