Smoke billows following an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 8, 2023. (Photo by Mahmud Hams / AFP)
Doha, Qatar: Israel continued its onslaught against Gaza on Saturday after the United States blocked the United Nations’ bid to call for a ceasefire.
The Palestinian Authority swiftly condemned the US veto as the Israeli attacks kill 17,487, mostly women and children since October 7.
Watch this page for more live updates:
[4pm Doha Time] GCC holds Israel legally responsible for civilian killings in Gaza Strip
The Gulf Cooperation Council countries renewed their condemnation of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, holding Israel legally responsible for its ongoing attacks that targeted innocent civilians and resulted in the killing of thousands of civilians in the Gaza Strip, most of them women and children, in clear violation of international humanitarian law.
This came in a statement delivered by HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, before the Security Council meeting on “The situation in the Middle East, including the issue of Palestine.” Read more.
[2pm Doha Time] US 'responsible for bloodshed' of Gaza children after UN veto: Abbas
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Saturday that the United States was "responsible for the bloodshed" of children in the Gaza Strip after it vetoed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territory at a special meeting of the UN Security Council.
"The president has described the American position as aggressive and immoral, a flagrant violation of all humanitarian principles and values, and holds the United States responsible for the bloodshed of Palestinian children, women and elderly people in the Gaza Strip," said a statement from Abbas's office.
[1pm Doha Time] “Israeli jets have attacked a number of buildings here and killed a lot of residents, including women and children.
“This area was described as a safe area by Israeli army, that’s why there are so many displaced people here. Survivors are trying to rescue those injured. The state of destruction is massive and it’s very difficult to rescue those injured. There is no equipment and everyone, including the rescue officials, is using their hands to remove the rubble.”
An Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent reported from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, which was targeted by Israeli forces earlier today.
[11am Doha Time] Prime Minister participates in Arab-Islamic Summit discussion with US Secretary of State
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani participated in an official discussion session, held by members of the ministerial committee assigned by the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, with HE Anthony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America. Read more
[8:30am Doha Time] Reports of many casualties after pre-dawn bombing raids on Gaza
WAFA, the Palestinian news agency has reported that early morning bombardments by Israeli forces resulted in “dozens” of casualties in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip and Gaza City in the north.
Citing local, unnamed sources, Wafa reports that five people were killed when a residential home was attacked west of Rafah in the south.
There were also dozens of casualties when Israeli forces bombed residential homes in the vicinity of the Assahaba Medical Complex in central Gaza.
Rescue operations and the recovery of bodies from beneath the rubble were impossible due to the presence of Israeli tanks in the areas of the attack, the news agency reports.
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[8:00am Doha Time] WHO members call on Israel to protect aid workers in Gaza
More than a dozen members of the World Health Organization have called on Israel to uphold its obligations under international law to protect humanitarian workers in Gaza.
The draft resolution submitted on Friday expresses “grave concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, especially the military operations in the Gaza Strip”.
The resolution, which will be considered on Sunday during a special session of the WHO’s Executive Board, was proposed by China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkiye, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.
US Ambassador Alternate Representative of the US for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations Robert A. Wood raises his hand during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York City on December 8, 2023. (Photo by Charly Triballeau / AFP)
[7:15am Doha Time] US says ‘engaged in good faith’ on ceasefire resolution at UN
Reiterating comments made during the UN Security Council session on Friday afternoon, the US mission to the UN said in a post on X that it “will continue the hard work of diplomacy”.
“To free hostages. To increase protection of civilians. To expand humanitarian aid. And to create an opportunity for Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in peace and security,” the mission said.
Washington is facing widespread criticism for vetoing the resolution.
[7am Doha Time] Rights advocates react to US vetoing UNSC ceasefire resolution
Zeina Hutchison of the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee says the move is “absolutely outrageous, particularly at a time where we are seeing a death toll that is unprecedented”.
“The fact that the United States is willing to veto a resolution on a ceasefire is mind-boggling,” she told Al Jazeera, adding that US President Joe Biden’s administration is putting Israel above its own interests and the interests of US citizens.
“We’re not discussing anything that is controversial; this should not be controversial, this is a ceasefire to save lives … When are Palestinians human enough, that our lives matter, for a ceasefire?”
Here are some other reactions:
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International: “The US has displayed a callous disregard for civilian suffering in the face of a staggering death toll, extensive destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe happening in the occupied Gaza Strip.”
Human Rights Watch: “By continuing to provide Israel with weapons [and] diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the US risks complicity in war crimes.”
