War between Israel and Gaza, live | Israel claims to have killed at least nine people in latest military operations in Gaza

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The Israeli army said this Saturday that it has killed at least nine people in the military operations it has carried out in recent hours in Gaza.

A statement from the Israeli armed forces details that a helicopter killed three people who were moving in the direction of the troops and that four other alleged "terrorists" died in an air attack and by fire from Israeli tanks.

The text also indicates that in an unidentified area in the center of the Palestinian enclave, Israeli troops have killed two people who "were carrying bags and an object suspected of being a weapon."

Regarding the situation in Khan Younis, the statement notes that the Israeli armed forces have killed “numerous terrorists” there, without specifying the number.

The White House officially returned on Friday to the position that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories (the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem) “is inconsistent with international law.”

Washington thus rectified the change in position taken during the Donald Trump Government, by which the United States tacitly accepted the establishment of these settlements, where more than 700,000 people live, 10% of the Israeli population.

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Israel claims to have killed at least nine people in latest military operations in Gaza

The Israeli army has assured that it has killed "numerous terrorists", without specifying the number, in the military operations it has carried out in recent hours in the city of Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip.

A statement from the Israeli armed forces adds that a helicopter killed three people who were moving in the direction of the troops and that four other alleged "terrorists" died in an air attack and by fire from Israeli tanks.

The text also indicates that the army carried out operations in central and northern Gaza.

In the south of Gaza City, a military drone has killed several fighters who were apparently preparing to attack Israeli troops with an anti-tank missile, according to the Israeli version.

Additionally, in an unidentified area in the center of the Palestinian enclave, Israeli troops have killed two people who were “carrying bags and an object suspected of being a weapon.”

In these operations, the military seized AK-47 rifles and magazines, as well as vests and documents belonging to Hamas, according to the statement.

(Efe)

ACT.24 FEB 2024 - 09:39

The country

The US says it has destroyed seven missiles that the Houthis planned to fire at targets in the Red Sea

The US military has reported that its forces have destroyed seven anti-ship cruise missiles that Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis planned to launch against targets in the Red Sea.

(Reuters)

ACT.24 FEB 2024 - 08:36

The country

Spain announces an additional contribution to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares, announced this Friday that the Government will make an “additional contribution” to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA, in its acronym in English) that would be added to the donation of 3.5 million euros committed at the beginning of this year.

Albares made the announcement after meeting with the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, and the Deputy Secretary General, Rosemary DiCarlo.

The figure of this new contribution is to be determined. 

UNRWA has been embroiled in serious controversy following accusations by Israel that 12 of its members participated in the October 7 attacks alongside Hamas, which has led to the suspension of donations by many members, which threatens its sustainability.

Among the Israeli Government's plans for the future of the Gaza Strip after the war, announced this Friday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is the abolition of UNRWA.

The agency estimates that it will run out of funds in March after the measure taken by twenty countries, including the United States;

The European Commission has said that it will maintain its funds for the duration of the investigation that the organization has opened to clarify what happened.

(Efe)

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 22:17

María Antonia Sánchez-VallejoNew York

Albares: “Spain will not sell weapons to Israel while the war lasts”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, recalled this Friday at the UN headquarters in New York, where he participated in a special session for the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, that Spain does not sell weapons to Israel since the start of the war in Gaza, after the Hamas attack on October 7.

“I have been asked on several occasions,” Albares recalled, “and not only have I answered as I am going to answer now, but we have issued an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I have said it twice in the Congress of Deputies since October 7.

No export licenses are granted for arms sales to Israel.

Therefore, there are no new arms sales operations to Israel.”

When asked about this matter, in an appearance before journalists after speaking before the General Assembly, the head of Spanish diplomacy reiterated that no new export licenses will be granted "as long as the war situation continues."

“There are no new arms sales in Israel since October 7.

No new arms export licenses are granted to Israel.

Since October 7th.

And it will remain that way as long as the war situation continues.”

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 21:11

The country

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors among the rubble of a house destroyed after an Israeli airstrike in Deir Al Balah, southern Gaza Strip, this February 23, 2024. / MOHAMMED SABER / EFE

What has happened in the last few hours

These are the latest news on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza at 8:00 p.m. this Friday, February 23:

The US once again considers that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories is illegal. 

The White House has officially returned this Friday to the position that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the territories occupied by Israel (the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem) “is inconsistent with international law.”

Washington thus rectifies the change in position taken during the Donald Trump Government, by which the United States tacitly accepted the establishment of these settlements, where more than 700,000 people live, 10% of the Israeli population.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns the “entrenched impunity” in the war between Israel and Hamas

.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has reiterated that the perpetrators of serious human rights violations in the conflict between Israel and Hamas must be held accountable.

“The entrenched impunity that has prevailed in recent years cannot persist,” said the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in a report on the situation in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Hezbollah confirms the death of four of its members, including two paramedics, in Israeli attacks.

 The Lebanese Shiite militia party Hezbollah confirmed this Friday the death of four of its members, including two paramedics, in bombings carried out by the Israeli army during the last hours against southern Lebanon.

The group has identified the deceased members as Hasan Mahmoud Saleh and Hisham Hussein Abdullah.

In addition, he points out that the other two dead were paramedics who worked for the organization and he has identified them as Husein Muhamad Jalil and Muhamad Yaqub Ismail.

“They ascend as martyrs on the road to Jerusalem,” he said, as reported by the Lebanese television network Al Manar, linked to Hezbollah. 

Hamas urges Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to rebel if Israel prevents them from praying at the Mosque Esplanade.

 The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has urged Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the Israeli-occupied West Bank this Friday to rebel against any measure that prohibits entry into the Al Aqsa mosque, considered the third holiest place in Islam after Mecca and Medina. Hamas thus reacts to the statements of the Israeli Minister of National Security, the far-right Itamar Ben Gvir, who asked this week to prevent, during the next month of Ramadan, the entry of Muslim Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to the Esplanade of Mosques, an approach that the organization has described as “criminal.”

The United Kingdom urges the UN Court not to issue an advisory opinion on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

 The United Kingdom considers that the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) should not rule on the central core of a bilateral dispute such as the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The British Government believes that the 15 judges of the court should avoid prejudging with their advisory opinions - non-binding recommendations but with moral authority and diplomatic weight - the efforts of the Security Council so that a solution can be negotiated.

For London, this consists of an Israeli state and a Palestinian state.

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 20:00

The country

Hamas urges Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to rebel if Israel prevents them from praying at the Mosque Esplanade

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has urged Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the Israeli-occupied West Bank this Friday to rebel against any measure that prohibits entry into the Al Aqsa mosque, considered the third holiest place in Islam after Mecca and Medina.

Hamas thus reacts to the statements of the Israeli Minister of National Security, the far-right Itamar Ben Gvir, who asked this week to prevent, during the next month of Ramadan, the entry of Muslim Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to the Esplanade of the Mosques. , an approach that the organization has described as “criminal.”

Israeli security forces have prevented the entry of dozens of young Muslims who wanted to access Al Aqsa to participate in the Friday noon prayer.

Israeli media reported this week that the Israeli intelligence service has warned the Government that the war with Hamas could expand and take on religious connotations if worshipers are restricted from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque.

(Efe)

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 19:43

The country

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) at a press conference with the Argentine Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, this Friday in Buenos Aires.

/ AGUSTIN MARCARIAN / REUTERS

The US once again considers that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories is illegal

The White House has officially returned this Friday to the position that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the territories occupied by Israel (the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem) “is inconsistent with international law.” 

Washington thus rectifies the change in position taken during the Donald Trump Government, by which the United States tacitly accepted the establishment of these settlements, where more than 700,000 people live, 10% of the Israeli population.

The Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has reiterated this position in a press conference after his interview with the Argentine president, Javier Milei, in Buenos Aires, in response to the announcement by the Israeli Government that it intends to authorize the construction of another 3,000 homes in these settlements.

Blinken has declared himself “disappointed” by the news.

“Our government maintains strong opposition to settlement expansion, and in our view this only weakens, not strengthens, Israel's security.”

The parties whose electoral base is the Israeli settlers in the occupied territories are part of Benjamin Netanyahu's Government and fundamental to its survival.

(Reuters)

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 19:22

Isabel FerrerThe Hague

UK urges UN Court not to issue advisory opinion on Arab-Israeli conflict

The United Kingdom considers that the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) should not rule on the central core of a bilateral dispute such as the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The British Government believes that the 15 judges of the court should avoid prejudging with their advisory opinions - non-binding recommendations but with moral authority and diplomatic weight - the efforts of the Security Council so that a solution can be negotiated.

For London, this consists of an Israeli state and a Palestinian state.

The UN General Assembly has asked the court to rule on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestine, and on the Palestinians' right to self-determination in these circumstances.

This Friday, jurist Sally Langrish has indicated that the TIJ cannot issue the advisory opinion that has been requested of it in these terms.

“The court should not go into the substance of a dispute between Palestine and Israel,” said the representative of the United Kingdom.

As the conflict ranges from border disputes to Jerusalem's status as capital, and from Israeli settler settlements on Palestinian land to security, Langrish has urged the court "not to interfere in a bilateral issue."

The TIJ, she added, has to be independent “and not compromise its credibility in a changing context like the current one.” 

It seems to him that judges “could draw erroneous legal conclusions.”

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 17:48

The country

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns “entrenched impunity” in war between Israel and Hamas

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has reiterated that the perpetrators of serious human rights violations in the conflict between Israel and Hamas must be held accountable.

“The entrenched impunity that has prevailed in recent years cannot persist,” said the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, in a report on the situation in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Turk has stated that this impunity has contributed to violations that could constitute international crimes and has urged all parties to the conflict to “end impunity and carry out prompt, independent, impartial, thorough, effective and transparent investigations” into alleged crimes under international law.

It also called on them to implement a ceasefire on humanitarian and human rights grounds, to ensure full respect for international law and to ensure accountability for violations and abuses.

Last month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.

(Reuters)

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 16:25

Isabel FerrerThe Hague

Qatar asks the UN Court to help resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict: “The credibility of the international legal order depends on the opinion of the ICJ”

Qatar has asked the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) to contribute, from a legal point of view, to the search for a negotiated solution to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The violence carried out by Israel in Gaza “is inseparable from the routine applied in the area,” said Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani, Qatari representative for this case and ambassador to the Netherlands.

“The credibility of the international legal order depends on the opinion of the ICJ,” he stated. Children, he added, “are the main victims.”

The ICJ must issue a non-binding advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. 

In particular, about the impossibility of exercising the right to self-determination by the population. 

The case has been launched at the request of the UN General Assembly, and 52 countries and three international organizations have asked to intervene before the judges.

According to Qatar, the blockade of Gaza has been “complete since 2007 and today the situation is indescribable.” 

Before Qatar's intervention, it was Pakistan's turn, and its envoy has indicated that "Israel tries to make the occupation of the Palestinian Territories irreversible."

However, “history shows that it does not have to be that way.”

Ahmed Irfan Aslam, Pakistani Minister of Justice, has given as an example France's withdrawal of "about a million of its settlers from Algeria in 1962."

In his opinion, the basis for peace between Israel and Palestine is two states. 

The advisory opinion requested from the ICJ by the General Assembly is not intended to prevent the search for a negotiated solution.

On the contrary, if judges consider that they are competent to issue it, it must be an additional legal element for any agreement to be consistent with international laws.

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 15:04

The country

Hezbollah confirms the death of four of its members, including two paramedics, in Israeli attacks

The Lebanese Shiite militia party Hezbollah confirmed this Friday the death of four of its members, including two paramedics, in bombings carried out by the Israeli army during the last hours against southern Lebanon.

The group has identified the deceased members as Hasan Mahmoud Saleh and Hisham Hussein Abdullah.

In addition, he points out that the other two dead were paramedics who worked for the organization and he has identified them as Husein Muhamad Jalil and Muhamad Yaqub Ismail.

“They ascend as martyrs on the road to Jerusalem,” he said, as reported by the Lebanese television network Al Manar, linked to Hezbollah.

(EP)

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 12:40

The country

Gazan citizens mourn the death of loved ones in Israeli attacks on a hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza, this Friday.

/ IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS

What has happened in the last few hours

These are the latest news on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza at 8:30 p.m. this Thursday, February 22:

-

Netanyahu reveals his post-war plan for Gaza: Israel will control security and rules out a Palestinian state

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The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, revealed last night, for the first time and after four and a half months of war in Gaza, his plan for the day after the conflict, in which he draws a demilitarized strip, whose security will depend on Israel and in the that there is no UN office for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Furthermore, he continues to refuse the establishment of a Palestinian state.

- The Gaza Ministry of Health raises the death toll from the Israeli offensive to 29,514

.

The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, raised this Thursday to 29,514 deaths - most of them children and women - the number of victims in the Strip since the Israeli offensive began on October 7.

In the last 24 hours, 104 Palestinians have been killed and 160 have been injured, up to 69,616.

- Gaza's economy shrank more than 80% in the fourth quarter, according to the World Bank

.

Gaza's economy has plummeted by more than 80%, going from about $670 million in the third quarter to just $90 million in the fourth, according to the World Bank.

Israel's war against Gaza has had a "catastrophic" impact on the territory's infrastructure, the institution said in a statement.

- Two dead and four injured, one of them seriously, in an Israeli drone attack in the West Bank

.

Two people died on Thursday night and four others were injured in an Israeli drone attack against a vehicle in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, in which the army claimed to have killed a jihadist militiaman who was preparing an attack. .

According to Israel, one of the deceased is a member of Islamic Jihad who, it claims, was planning “a shooting attack” against Israelis.

- Hamas leader leaves Egypt after days of negotiations on a possible truce in Gaza

.

The delegation of the Palestinian group Hamas, led by the leader of its political bureau, Ismail Haniya, concluded its visit to Cairo this Friday, after several days of negotiations with the head of Egyptian Intelligence and an American advisor to try to reach a truce. in Gaza, although no progress has been announced.

- The US accuses four people of transporting Iranian weapons for Yemen's Houthi rebels

.

The US Department of Justice has announced charges against four people for transporting Iranian-made weapons for Yemen's Houthi rebels, who intended to use them in their attacks in the Red Sea.

The material was seized by US Navy SEAL troops and Coast Guard agents on January 11.

ACT.23 FEB 2024 - 12:00