At least 20,000 people have been killed in the besieged and war-hit Gaza Strip since the beginning of Israel's military campaign on October 7, the health ministry said
Some 8,000 children and 6,200 women were among the dead, it said, as the conflict continued to rage more than two months after it broke out.
In Rafah in southern Gaza, a series of Israeli airstrikes hit three adjacent homes killing 25 people, according to Palestinian media reports, and a further 10 were killed in a strike on the Jabalia refugee camp in the north.
Meanwhile, intensive Qatari- and Egyptian-mediated talks have taken place for a possible second Gaza truce under which a number of Israeli hostages could be returned for Palestinians prisoners, Reuters said.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Cairo for ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian officials, as well as talks on the latest developments amid Israel's brutal military campaign in the Gaza Strip, an official statement confirmed.
Amnesty to launch probe into disappearance of Palestinians
Amnesty International said it will be launching a probe into the disappearance of Palestinians, including that of journalists Nidal al-Waheidi and Haithem Abdelwahed.
Photos and video footage verified by Amnesty’s Crisis Evidence Lab show Israeli forces’ inhumane and degrading treatment of detainees in Beit Lahia, a city in northern Gaza.
"We are currently investigating the reports of mass enforced disappearances of Palestinian detainees by Israeli forces. The Israeli military must urgently disclose the fate and whereabouts of everyone that it has detained since 7 October including Nidal al-Waheidi and Haitham Abdelwahed, two journalists from Gaza who have been forcibly disappeared for more than two months," said Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
"Israeli forces must specify the grounds of arrest for those detained, and make every effort to provide families of those in its custody with information, particularly in light of the telecommunications blackouts that have cut off Gazans from each other and the rest of the world".
Man killed in car by Israeli sniper in southern Lebanon
One Lebanese person was killed in his car by Israeli sniper bullets on the outskirts of Lebanese southern village of Kfar Kila, Lebanese state news agency reported on Wednesday.
The UK and Germany – staunch allies of Israel – have added their voices to demands for a reduction in violence by calling at the weekend for a “sustainable ceasefire” and the UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, on Tuesday urged Israel to take a “much more surgical, clinical and targeted approach” in dealing with Hamas.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that Israel is ready for another humanitarian pause in order to enable the release of hostages, but he added: “We don’t intend to stop our attack on Hamas in order to undermine their military capabilities or their ability to rule Gaza.”
The UK Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told parliament on Tuesday he was “particularly disturbed” by reports from the Holy Family parish in Gaza City, where relatives of the Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran have sought refuge.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the church, said over the weekend that Israeli snipers killed two women “in cold blood” as they tried to cross a courtyard to use a toilet at the church compound where they were sheltering.
A shell fired from a tank destroyed the compound’s generator, which powered respirators used by disabled people sheltering there, the statement added.
Macron says fighting terror does not mean ‘to flatten Gaza’. He called on Israel “to stop this response because it is not appropriate”. Macron said France called for the protection of civilians and “a truce leading to a humanitarian cease-fire“.
“We cannot let the idea take root that an efficient fight against terrorism implies to flatten Gaza or attack civilian populations indiscriminately,” Macron told the France 5 broadcaster.
He called on Israel “to stop this response because it is not appropriate, because all lives are worth the same and we defend them.”
While acknowledging “Israel’s right to defend itself and fight terror,” Macron said France called for the protection of civilians and “a truce leading to a humanitarian cease-fire.”
The bloodiest-ever Gaza war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
The US appears increasingly isolated in its steadfast support for a military campaign now entering its 11th week as the UN security council was weighing up a new resolution calling for the suspension of hostilities to allow for greater flows of humanitarian aid under UN monitoring.
The 14 other council members were locked in negotiation with the US on wording that would avoid a repeat US veto and the vote was postponed until Wednesday amid disagreements between US diplomats and the White House, which was insisting on a text that put less pressure on Israel and gave it a more explicit role in deciding what goods could enter Gaza, according to sources at the UN.
Some external players are planning to use the conflict in the Gaza Strip to ignite a major war in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
"It has become obvious that some external forces are not averse to using the next escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in their own interests - to ignite the fire of regional hostility in the development of numerous past adventures of the US and its allies, which have been unleashed in the Middle East over the past 20 years and the result of which is undermined statehood, hundreds of thousands of fatalities, huge flows of refugees, sharp escalation of socio-economic problems," the top Russian diplomat said at the plenary session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum.
Lavrov added that the purpose of such actions is "to weaken countries pursuing an independent foreign policy course."
Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 200 hostages, including women, children and the elderly.
Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.
the plenary session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum
The forum was co-chaired by Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, and Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister.
The State of Qatar participated in the sixth session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum held in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi chaired the State of Qatar's delegation in the forum.
In remarks before the forum, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs pointed out that Arab region and the entire world are facing extraordinary circumstance, noting that still the barbaric and brutal Israeli aggression is ongoing against the Palestinian people since last October.
His Excellency pointed out that the aggression created the most brutal and largest scale of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity in full view of the international community which is unable to stop this heinous war that contravenes all international war laws and human rights charters. He emphasized that the Arab-Russian relationships are on solid ground of shared principles, indicating that today's meeting comes to proceed with the cementing cooperation between the two sides which has witnessed a quantum leap during the recent years, especially in the political and economic relationships.
HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi highlighted that the state of polarization the international order is witnessing imposes shoring up relations among Arab world and Russia to find a multi-polar world that achieves international legitimacy away from double standards policies that undermined the collective security system approved by the international community and threatened the international stability, peace and security.
His Excellency added that the Russian role that backs restoring international peace and security in the Middle East region is appreciated, and there is an aspiration to a Russian role that backs settling and addressing the consequences of the conflict in Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and Libya, in addition to backing Arab efforts regionally and globally to halt and end the barbaric Israeli assaults against the brotherly Palestinian people. His Excellency renewed the State of Qatar's call for ending this war that has exceeded all limits.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatars unwavering position on the justice of the Palestinian cause, along with the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, affirming that the only guarantee to achieve a sustainable peace in the region is to reach a just and comprehensive solution for the Palestinian cause which is based on ending the Israeli occupation and establishing the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the international legitimacy resolutions, Arab peace initiative and the two-state solution as agreed by the international community.
His Excellency outlined that the convention of the current session of the forum -which comes amid large-scale political turmoil and volatile economic transformations the international arena is witnessing- underscores the shared recognition of the fact that goals related to achieving Arab, Russian and global peace and security, as well as the development for nations and peoples are mutual goals committed by the two sides, reaffirming the significance of completing the accomplished achievement made during the five past sessions at all political and economic levels, adding that this would never happen unless effective cooperation and coordination are enhanced between the two sides.
He indicated that the State of Qatar is committed to reinforcing cooperation relationships with the Russian federation, noting that these relationships witnessed distinguished and tangible progress during the past two decades in multiple political and economic fields, particularly in trade and investment, pointing out that the Qatari investments in Russia occupy advanced position among the foreign investments there, and reinforce constant cooperation in energy field.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs commended the persistent cooperation and coordination on the developments that are happening at the global level, pertaining to regional and global issues of common concern, underscoring that the State of Qatar supports the outcomes of this session to further give impetus to the Arab-Russian relationships and bring them to new and broader venues in all economic, investment, political and security fields to achieve the aspirations of Arab and Russian peoples in security, development, progress and prosperity.
Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, participated in the sixth session of the Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum held in Marrakech, Morocco.
Foreign Minister attends Sixth Session of the Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum
Speaking at the forum, Dr. Al Zayani said that the Kingdom of Bahrain perceived the historical ties between Russia and Arab countries, as distinguished relations based on mutual respect, understanding, and interests; adding that they hold great importance for global stability, security, and prosperity.
The Sixth Session of The Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum presents an excellent opportunity to enhance cooperation, Al Zayani added, welcoming the adoption of an action plan for 2024-2026.
The minister expressed appreciation for Russia's significant geopolitical role in the Middle East and its efforts to address Arab countries' crises, expressing hope for increased cooperation and coordination.
The Russian Federation, as a permanent member of the Security Council, is expected to contribute to regional peace and alleviate current tensions, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Al Zayani said.
He expressed appreciation for Russia's initiative to submit a resolution for the Gaza Strip war and support UN resolutions
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain has reiterated the importance of a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine war through dialogue, to ensure the interests of both parties as well global security and stability.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry traveled to Morocco on Tuesday to take part in the Arab-Russian cooperation forum in Marrakesh.
Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the forum on Dec. 20 will be the sixth session since launching in 2009 following a memorandum between the Arab League and Russia. Moscow hosted the most recent session in 2019.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry hold a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow, Jan. 31, 2023. (AP Photo)
The importance of the forum has increased in recent years, offering a platform for exchanging views and coordinating positions on issues at the regional and international levels, Abu Zeid added.
Shoukry is scheduled to hold several meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the forum.
The meetings will cover a number of important regional and international files, most notably the war in the Gaza Strip and ways to end it as quickly as possible, Abu Zeid said.
Morocco chairs the Arab League’s Ministerial Council, and was requested by the league to host the sixth session, the country’s Foreign Ministry said.
The forum will be held in the format of an expanded troika involving the Arab League secretary-general, the three members of the Arab Ministerial Troika, as well as the presidency of the summit. Participation will be open to ministerial delegations.
A general mobilization is being carried out in northern Yemen to send soldiers to the Gaza Strip if such an opportunity arises, member of the political office of Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis, Houtham Assad said on Wednesday.
"As for the general mobilization in support of our people in the Gaza Strip, it was launched in all provinces, training camps were opened, tens of thousands of young people volunteered to study military craft, several groups have already graduated in various provinces of Yemen," the official said.
The people are being called upon to support our people in Gaza, who are being "subjected to genocide by the Israeli occupation army with the support of the United States" the official said, adding that if the conditions are right then they will take part in military operations in the Gaza Strip.
He added that the mobilization is underway in support of the people in Gaza "subjected to genocide by the Israeli occupation army with the support of the United States," noting that when conditions are right, the soldiers will partake in military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The Yemeni Armed Forces, in response to the Israeli aggression on Gaza, have successfully launched over 70 drones and ballistic missiles toward "Israel". The IOF conveyed this information in a statement, highlighting that the targeted distance exceeds 1,600 km from Yemen.
General mobilization is underway in the north of Yemen to send fighters to the Gaza Strip, the political bureau of the Ansar Allah movement pic.twitter.com/FmJgD8Fa41
❗️General mobilization is underway in the north of Yemen to send fighters to the Gaza Strip, the political bureau of the Ansar Allah movement
If US attacks Yemen, its battleships will be struck: Sayyed al-Houthi
The leader of the Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, warned the United States of America against attacking Yemen, stressing that American battleships and vessels would become a target for Yemeni missiles in the event of any attack.
Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in a screengrab from his speech on December 20, 2023 (Ansar Allah media)
In a speech he delivered today, Wednesday, the Yemeni Resistance leader Sayyed al-Houthi said, "If the United States is considering targeting Yemen, we will not stand idly by," adding that engaging in a direct war with the US and “Israel" and not with America's proxies is the thing they aspire for the most.
Ansar Allah's leader called on the Arab countries not to get involved with the United States.
In this context, he stressed that “if America wants to fight Yemen’s stance in support of Palestine, then it would have to confront the entire Yemeni people,” adding that “if that is what America wants, then it will face a harsher situation than that it faced in Afghanistan and Vietnam.”
Sayyed al-Houthi warned Washington against launching any strikes because that would render it completely involved, stressing that Yemen has developed its capabilities in several areas.
The US move seeks militarization of Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab
Ansar Allah leader, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, reassured European companies, saying, “European vessels that do not have Israeli occupation ports as their destination are not at risk.”
Regarding the military US navigation in the Red Sea, he called it “illegal” and “a reckless and foolish aggression that only serves Israel,” stressing, however, that “European countries that are complicit in the US move are risking their interests.”
Sayyed al-Houthi stressed that the Yemeni people decided not to yield to the United States and not to back down from their religious and moral stance in terms of all the ongoing events in the Red and Arabian seas, as well as the Gulf of Aden. He added that this Yemeni stance is effective and influential and has dealt heavy blows to the Israeli enemy.
He stressed that the Yemeni Naval Forces’ only target in the Red Sea is Israeli ships and “Israel”-bound vessels because the Yemeni actions are never meant to undermine international navigation. Rather, the only target is to support the oppressed Palestinian people, he added.
On the US-led coalition in the Red Sea, Sayyed al-Houthi announced that its actual goal is not to protect international navigation; rather, it only aims to implicate countries in protecting Israeli ships, in pursuit of militarizing the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab.
In this context, he called on the countries overlooking the coast of the Red Sea to condemn the American move because it violates their rights, stressing that America turning the Red Sea into a battlefield is detrimental to all countries.
Sayyed al-Houthi praised the Malaysian decision to bar Israeli shipping companies from any activity in Malaysian ports.
Region countries, including Arab ones, to ‘Israel’s’ rescue from Yemeni missiles
On the issue of intercepting Yemeni missiles launched at the Israeli occupation entity in rejection of the aggression on the Gaza Strip, Sayyed al-Houthi highlighted that four countries in the region, including Arab ones, are involved in this.
"We were patient despite the interceptions of our missiles from Arab countries, and we are only after the Zionist enemy," he stressed, adding that "Yemen seeks to develop military capabilities to overcome all obstacles and to meet the people's demands and their position in support of Palestine."
The leader of Ansar Allah explained, "The United States and its allies justify their support for the Israeli enemy in its crimes, yet they denounce our rightful position in support of Palestine."
He also pointed out that the position of the Yemeni people is right, honorable, and consistent with their responsibility in terms of faith and morals, adding that Yemen is not ashamed of its position against the aggression on Gaza and in support of Palestine.
Sayyed al-Houthi to the people of Gaza: You are not alone
Addressing the people of the Gaza Strip, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said, “You are not alone, and our Yemeni people are by your side to the fullest extent and will never hesitate to support you.”
“The Axis of Resistance is [also] at your side, and the peoples of the world are voicing their opposition to the oppression you are subjected to,” he added.
Sayyed al-Houthi further told them, “Have faith that Allah shall grant you victory after your patience, steadfastness, and oppression,” adding that the most important thing that the world must strive for “is to stop the aggression on Gaza.”
He also stressed that the Israeli occupation has openly dealt with hospitals in the Gaza Strip as declared military targets, adding that the Israeli enemy boasts about its crimes and aggression targeting civilians.
In this context, he stressed that the Israeli enemy resorts to targeting civilians whenever it fails on the battlefield.
Sayyed al-Houthi explained that the United States has been partaking in the Israeli enemy’s aggression from day one, and the proof of that is that the enemy is killing children and women in Palestine with US weapons, including those that are internationally prohibited.
According to Ansar Allah's leader, the Israeli lobby manipulates the United States and directs it to support "Israel" even if that is against Washington's interests.
He continued that the United States has opened its bases and weapons depots in the region for the Israeli enemy to use, adding that Washington objects to every ceasefire decision in the Gaza Strip and insists on the continuation of the massacres.
Sayyed al-Houthi pointed out that the Western countries allied with Washington have their own dark history and criminal record against peoples, adding that it is the responsibility of the Islamic and Arab worlds to stand sincerely in support of the Palestinian people.
Regarding the stances of some Arab countries toward what is happening in occupied Palestine, Ansar Allah's leader said they do not sever their relations with Western countries for trivial reasons, adding that the positions of some Arab countries have gone as far as conspiring against Palestine.
"We do not expect the United States and European countries to uphold a positive position or play a constructive role toward Palestine," he affirmed, adding that "the position of the Axis of Resistance goes as far as offering military support for Palestine."
In a report under the title "A $2M missile vs. a $2,000 drone: Pentagon worried over cost of Houthi attacks," Politico reported the concern within the Pentagon regarding the cost imposed by the operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces in the Red Sea.
It highlighted that the Pentagon has deployed a substantial arsenal to the area, with two carrier strike groups, the Gerald R. Ford stationed in the eastern Mediterranean and the Dwight D. Eisenhower positioned in the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, at least four destroyers and a cruiser are currently conducting patrols close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Yemen asked the countries geographically separating it from Palestine to open border for Jihad
Regarding the summits that were held for Palestine and the aggression on Gaza, especially that held in Saudi Arabia, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the position of the Arab and Islamic countries was weak.
He also criticized the silence of the scholars regarding the atrocities unfolding in Palestine and the Gaza Strip, especially those who issued Fatwas for Jihad in Syria, Iraq, or Yemen, wondering where they are today from all that is taking place and what could possibly justify their silence.
Feeling the responsibility incumbent on them both in terms of faith and the need for Jihad, the Yemeni people chose to offer and do their utmost in support of the Palestinian people, according to Sayyed al-Houthi.
The Yemeni Resistance leader revealed that Yemen had submitted a clear and open request to the countries geographically separating Yemen and Palestine to open the borders for the Yemenis to engage in the freedom fight in Palestine, adding: “Test our credibility and open the roads of jihad to occupied Palestine, and you will see.”
Just earlier, a member of the political office of Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, Houtham Assad, told Sputnik that northern Yemen is carrying out general mobilization to deploy soldiers to Gaza if there is such an opportunity.
"As for the general mobilization in support of our people in the Gaza Strip, it was launched in all provinces, training camps were opened, tens of thousands of young people volunteered to study military craft, several groups have already graduated in various provinces of Yemen," the official stated.
On the political and media support for the Palestinian cause, Sayyed al-Houthi indicated that Yemen’s position is clear in this regard and supports it to the fullest extent, calling for a comparison between the Yemeni media, on the one hand, and the Saudi and Emirati media, on the other, to ascertain who clearly supports Palestine.
Regarding the people’s reaction in Yemen in support of Palestine, Sayyed al-Houthi described it as “unparalleled in the region and the world,” adding that “the consensus of the Yemeni people in support of Palestine exceeds their consensus regarding their own issues.”
He said that support for Palestine is prevalent across Yemen, and even in the occupied governorates under the control of the coalition of aggression, noting that some stances by some mercenaries do not, in any way, represent the unified Yemeni people over Palestine.
Sayyed al-Houthi concluded by saying that what the Yemeni people are demanding for the sake of Palestine is a lot more than what is currently done, stressing that “we seek to employ our utmost capabilities in support of the Palestinian people.”
