Israeli army closes in on Khan Younis hospital as Biden, Netanyahu differ on two-state solution to crisis
The World Health Organization says most of the enclave’s 36 hospitals have stopped working. Only 15 are partially functioning and those are operating at up to three times their capacity, without adequate fuel or medical supplies, it says.
Unperturbed Israel scoffs at harsh Israeli rhetoric claim that’s central to South Africa’s genocide case
The genocide case against Israel opened last week at the International Court of Justice at The Hague. South Africa is looking to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Israel has specific intent to commit genocide. It is using the litany of harsh statements as part of the evidence in its case.
South African case against Israel is an example of activist foreign policy that’s ignored Russia’s crimes in Ukraine
Having taken up the cause of Palestinians in Gaza, South Africa could come under pressure to take up the causes of other groups whose human rights are trampled upon, and which could face genocide. If South Africa really wants to pursue an activist foreign policy, it has to be all-embracing, as no just cause can be neglected. There is no sign that it is prepared to do so.
Iran Revolutionary Guards strike Israel’s spy nerve centre in Iraq as Tehran vows more revenge
The strikes come amid concerns about the escalation of a conflict that has spread through the Middle East since the war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas began on October 7, with Iran’s allies also entering the fray from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
South Africa’s case at UN’s top court accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza captivates Palestinians
Israel has vehemently denied the genocide allegations and has chosen to defend itself, in person, for the first time, attesting to the case’s symbolic importance. South Africa is seeking binding preliminary orders to compel Israel to stop its current military campaign in Gaza.
China calls for Gaza peace conference as Hamas promises to disclose fate of Israeli hostages
Israel also says more than 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’ October 7 assault. The Gaza health ministry has said almost 24,000 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive that followed with more than 60,000 wounded.
Fear spreads Hamas plans to kill Israeli hostages as it airs a video of captives it promised to disclose their fate
Of some 240 people seized by Hamas in an October 7 cross-border killing spree that sparked the war, around half were released in a November truce. Israel says 132 remain in Gaza and that 25 of them have died in captivity.
Two Navy SEALs are missing after a night mission off the coast of Somalia
Besides the defence of ships from launched drones and missiles shot from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the US military has also come to the aid of commercial ships that have been the targets of piracy.
Nelson Mandela’s support for Palestinians endures with South Africa’s genocide case against Israel
Nelson Mandela regularly raised the plight of the Palestinians. Three years after apartheid and white minority rule was dismantled in South Africa and Mandela was elected president in historic all-race elections in 1994, he thanked the international community for its help. He added: “But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
Pentagon: Hospitalised US Defence Secretary Austin ordered retaliatory strikes on Yemen-based Houthi militants
Austin’s hospital room setup is not unlike when he is on the road, where full security and communications teams accompany him with all of the secure, classified equipment needed to keep him connected. Austin’s aides and support staff have been with him all week at Walter Reed as well.
