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Live Updates: Israel Announces Partial Evacuation in Gaza's Khan Younis

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DOHA (Sputnik) - The death toll from the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip since the beginning of October has exceeded 20,000 people, including 8,000 children... 21.12.2023, Sputnik Africa

2023-12-21T08:22+0100

2023-12-21T17:58+0100

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Live Updates: Israel Announces Partial Evacuation in Gaza's Khan Younis

08:22 21.12.2023 (Updated: 17:58 21.12.2023)

DOHA (Sputnik) - The death toll from the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip since the beginning of October has exceeded 20,000 people, including 8,000 children, and more than 52,000 have been injured, the enclave's government said on Wednesday.

A total of about 52,600 people have been injured, and 6,700 people are considered missing, they are either under the rubble, or their fate is unknown, the Gaza's government said, as cited by Al Jazeera.

On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, breaching the border and killing and taking captives in nearby Israeli military sites and communities. The movement said its operation, Al-Aqsa Flood, was in response to Israeli provocations and occupation of Palestinian territories.

Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million people, cutting off supplies of water, food and fuel. On October 27, Israel launched a large-scale ground incursion into Gaza, ostensibly to eliminate Hamas fighters and rescue hostages.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The truce was extended several times, but on December 1, the fighting was resumed.

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11:44 21.12.2023

Hamas Rejects Any Ceasefire With Israel Lasting Less Than 2 Weeks - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Palestinian movement Hamas is rejecting any ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip that will last less than two weeks, the Al Arabiya broadcaster reported on Thursday, citing sources.

Earlier in the day, the Makan 33 broadcaster reported, citing sources, that Israel was ready for a two-week truce in exchange for the release of dozens of hostages, but the parties were still far from reaching a deal.

11:43 21.12.2023

WHO Denies Having Seen Hamas Abusing Hospitals in Gaza

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The World Health Organization has not seen Hamas using hospitals for military purposes and it is not the organization's responsibility to verify such information, the UN health agency’s spokesperson said Thursday after Israel accused health workers of turning a blind eye to the alleged abuse of medical facilities by the Palestinian group.

"No, I think we and our missions have not seen anything like this on the ground. But you cannot verify — we are not in a position to ascertain how any of the hospitals are being used, other than as health facilities," Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO representative on the occupied Palestinian territory, said.

"The role of the WHO is to monitor, analyze and report. We are not attributing the attacks on health care. We are not a crime-investigating organization. I think that should be very clear," the spokesperson told the news briefing.

11:42 21.12.2023

Palestine-Israel Escalation Caused by US's Irresponsible Policies - Russia's General Staff

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Palestinian-Israeli confrontation has resulted in an open armed conflict due to irresponsible policies of the United States, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said on Thursday.

"It's worth noting that irresponsible policies of the US have led to another wave of escalation in the Middle East. Long-standing confrontation between Palestine and Israel has turned into an open armed confrontation with numerous casualties of civilians on both sides. At the moment, the number of those killed is estimated at tens of thousands of people, with prospects for settlement remaining quite uncertain," Gerasimov told a briefing for foreign military attaches.

11:42 21.12.2023

Over 50 Killed in Gaza's Khan Younis by Israeli Shelling Over 24 Hours - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - At least 55 people were killed in the Israeli shelling attacks in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours, Palestinian broadcaster Al-Aqsa reported on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Israel announced an evacuation of civilians from the central and southern parts of Khan Younis, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

09:09 21.12.2023

Israeli Military Death Toll Since Start of Ground Offensive in Gaza Rises to 137: Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The number of Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground operation against Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip has risen to 137, The Times of Israel newspaper reported on Thursday, citing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The IDF announced that three more soldiers were killed in the ongoing battles with Hamas in Gaza's north, which brings the total number of the Israeli soldiers killed in the ground operation to 137, the newspaper wrote.

08:41 21.12.2023

Israel-Hamas Talks on Gaza Ceasefire Resume, But Positions Differ - Palestinian Ambassador

VIENNA (Sputnik) - Talks between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have resumed, but the sides' positions differ, Salah Abdel-Shafi, the Palestinian ambassador in Vienna, told RIA Novosti.

Reuters reported on December 17 citing Egyptian security sources that Israel and Hamas were both open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release, although disagreements remained on how it would be implemented.

“Yes, this is mainly in media reports. But the fact is that discussions are under way. There are mediators. The main ones are Qatar, Egypt, the Americans. So yes, negotiations have resumed, but the positions are very far from each other,” Abdel-Shafi said when asked to comment on relevant media reports.

08:37 21.12.2023

Israel Ready for 2-Week Truce in Exchange for Release of Dozens of Hostages - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israel is ready for a two-week truce in exchange for the release of dozens of hostages, but the parties are still far from reaching a deal, the Makan 33 broadcaster reported on Thursday, citing sources.

Hamas, in turn, has rejected Israel's offer for a new swap deal that includes the release of Palestinian prisoners convicted of murder, the broadcaster added.

08:33 21.12.2023

Hamas, If Defeated Militarily, Will Remain Political Force in Palestine - Ambassador

VIENNA (Sputnik) - Palestinian movement Hamas will not disappear if it is defeated militarily, but will remain a political force in Palestine, Palestinian Ambassador to Vienna Salah Abdel-Shafi told RIA Novosti.

“Hamas will remain, they will not disappear. Hamas will possibly no longer exist as a military structure. This is possible. But Hamas will continue to exist as a political structure, as a political force,” Abdel-Shafi said.

08:33 21.12.2023

Saudi Arabia Develops, Sends to France Settlement Plan for Gaza Strip - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Analysts in Saudi Arabia have developed a plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by ending the fighting in the Gaza Strip and expelling the Palestinian movement Hamas's military command to Algeria, French newspaper Le Monde reported on Wednesday, citing a document that was transmitted for study to the French Foreign Ministry.

The plan was drawn up by Abdulaziz Al Sager, the chairman of the Gulf Research Center, following a meeting with the French Foreign Ministry's North Africa and Middle East director, Anne Grillo, in Riyadh on Tuesday. He suggests "evacuating" Hamas military leaders to Algeria, apparently referring to Mohammed Deif, the head of the Hamas military wing, and the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, Le Monde reported.

Algeria is reportedly mentioned as a possible haven for Hamas leaders for its good relations with Qatar and Iran, the movement's main sponsors and its "security potential" that would allow to "monitor the activities of the groups."

Among other issues, the plan involves a UN-mandated deployment of Arab peacekeeping forces in the Gaza Strip and the creation of a joint transitional council uniting the main Palestinian factions - Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah - and responsible for managing the enclave for four years with the aim of organizing presidential and parliamentary elections, the newspaper reported.

08:32 21.12.2023

Humanitarian, Human Rights Groups Urge Pentagon to Protect Civilians in Gaza - Letter

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - More than a dozen humanitarian and human rights groups on Wednesday sent a letter to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urging him to take steps to protect civilians in Gaza amid Israel's military invasion of the Palestinian enclave.

“The undersigned humanitarian, human rights, and protection of civilians organizations write to express our deep concern regarding civilian harm in US-supported Israeli military operations in Gaza and request urgent steps to protect the more than two million civilians suffering under relentless bombardment and starvation there,” the letter said.

The letter was signed by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International USA, Refugees International and the Center for Civilians in Conflict, among others.

The letter was also sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

The letter urges the United States to oppose the targeting of civilians, withhold assistance that would facilitate violations of international humanitarian law, refrain from transferring explosive weapons to Israel and reject forcible displacement of Palestinian civilians into so-called safe zones.

08:28 21.12.2023

Israel Announces Partial Evacuation in Gaza's Khan Younis

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israel has announced an evacuation of civilians from the central and southern parts of Khan Younis city located in the southern Gaza Strip, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday, adding that the region was home to 111,542 people before the resumption of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"On 20 December, the Israeli military designated a new area covering about 20 per cent of central and south of Khan Younis city for immediate evacuation. The area was marked in an online map published on social media. Prior to the onset of hostilities, this area was home to nearly 111,542 people," the OCHA said in a situation report.

The area housed 32 shelters that accommodated about 141,451 internally displaced persons, with most of them previously relocated from the north, OCHA said. The Israeli military’s instructions urge the region’s residents to move to shelters "further south of Khan Younis," in the Ash Shaboura area, Tell es-Sultan and Az Zahur districts in the Rafah governorate, "which are already overcrowded," the report read.

"The scope of displacement resulting from the order to evacuate is unclear," the statement added.

08:27 21.12.2023

Signals Appear Hamas Ready to Recognize Israel as State - Palestinian Ambassador in Vienna

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Palestinian movement Hamas did not want to recognize Israel as a state but signals appear that it is ready to do so, Palestinian Ambassador to Austria Salah Abdel-Shafi has told RIA Novosti.

"We all know that the difference between us and Hamas are political differences. We have always advocated the two states. Hamas did not want to recognize Israel as a state. I think we can come to an agreement. Positive signals come from Hamas that they are also ready to recognize two states," the ambassador said.

08:25 21.12.2023

Erdogan, Sisi Discuss Aid Supply to Gaza, Ceasefire Efforts - Turkish Presidential Office

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and re-elected Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi discussed the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and efforts for a ceasefire in the Middle East in a phone call, the Turkish presidential office said in a statement.

"President Recep Tayyip Edogan had a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi. During the conversation, Israel's attacks on Palestinian territories and efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza were discussed. President Erdogan said that it is important for Islamic countries to continue the started efforts to ensure a permanent ceasefire in conditions of unity," the office said on Wednesday.

Erdogan wished success to Sisi and expressed hope that the new period would be “favorable for Turkish-Egyptian relations.”

08:24 21.12.2023

Israel Defense Forces Says Secured Control Over Hamas' 'Elite Quarter' in Gaza City

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops had secured control over Palestinian movement Hamas' "Elite Quarter" in the center of Gaza City, including the area from where Hamas’ administrative and military leadership operated.

"IDF troops have secured control over Hamas' "Elite Quarter" in the center of Gaza City, including the area of the ‘Palestine Square’, from where Hamas’ administrative and military leadership operated. The complex includes a large network of tunnels that connects terrorist hideouts, bureaus, and residential apartments belonging to Hamas’ senior leadership. This complex, both above and below ground, was a center of power for Hamas’ military and political wings," the IDF said on Telegram.

It said that during battles to secure the area, IDF forces eliminated "approximately 600 terrorists" in ground and aerial operations.

08:24 21.12.2023

Hamas Rejects Israel's Proposal for Week-Long Ceasefire in Exchange for Hostages - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Palestinian movement Hamas has rejected Israel's proposal to stop fighting for at least a week in exchange for the remaining hostages being held by the movement in the Gaza Strip, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing Egyptian officials.

Hamas said earlier in the day that Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of its political bureau, arrived in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Wednesday morning to hold talks with Egyptian officials on the situation in the Gaza Strip and other issues.

The report cited Egyptian officials as saying that Haniyeh told intelligence officials in Cairo that he was there to obtain a ceasefire and more humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Hamas would not discuss the release of hostages until a ceasefire first goes into effect, the report said. Israel's proposal was set to include some 40 hostages, including, for the first time, members of Palestinian movement Islamic Jihad, as well as all the remaining women and children, men above the age of 60 and other hostages who are sick or seriously wounded and in need of urgent medical care.

Islamic Jihad also said that the ceasefire must go into effect before negotiations could start and that Israel must free "all of its thousands of Palestinian prisoners" in return for more than 100 hostages held in Gaza, the report said.

08:22 21.12.2023

UNSC Delays Vote on Gaza Aid to Thursday to 'Allow Additional Time for Diplomacy'

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – The UN Security Council has postponed a vote on a resolution that calls for boosting humanitarian aid for Gaza until Thursday morning to allow additional time for diplomacy, UNSC President Jose De La Gasca said on Wednesday.

Ecuador holds the presidency of the council for the month of December.

"The Security Council has agreed to continue negotiations today to allow additional time for diplomacy. The presidency will schedule adoption for tomorrow morning," the Ecuadorian diplomat said.

The UN Security Council was originally set to vote on the Arab-sponsored resolution on Monday. The vote has since been pushed back several times in an effort to avoid another veto by the US.

"We believe today giving a little bit space for additional diplomacy could yield positive results, and we are going to be optimistic trying to do that," UAE ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh told reporters.

Nusseibeh pointed out that discussions are going on at the highest levels, adding that "diplomacy takes time."

The UAE envoy expressed confidence that the resolution would be adopted.

"I am optimistic, but if this fails, then we will continue to keep trying because we have to keep trying. There is too much suffering on the ground," she said.

Nusseibeh also stressed that the ongoing discussions between Egypt, Qatar and Hamas did not impact the decision to delay the vote. "They have not been raised in Council deliberations," she said.

The draft resolution calls for a halt to hostilities in Gaza to allow for urgently needed aid deliveries to flow in via all land, sea and air routes. It also asks the UN Secretary-General to create a monitoring mechanism for aid to ensure that no humanitarian relief is provided to parties to the conflict.