Israel has expressed its determination to pursue the war in the Gaza Strip “regardless of international support,” following a decisive UN General Assembly vote in favor of a ceasefire.
Israel has vowed to press ahead with its war in the Gaza Strip “with or without international support” after the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a ceasefire.
Aiming to crush Hamas, Israel launched a retaliatory military offensive that the health ministry in Gaza says has killed at least 18,600 people, mostly women and children.
Israel Defies Pressure
Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said his country’s war with Hamas would continue “with or without international support”.
Cohen, in a meeting with a visiting diplomat, said “a ceasefire at the current stage is a gift to the terrorist organization Hamas”, according to a declaration released by his ministry.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said later that despite the “international pressure” on Israel, it would “continue until the end”.
“Nothing will stop us. We are going until the end, until victory, nothing less than that,” he added.
Army’s Deadliest Day
Israel’s army said the number of soldiers killed so far in its offensive in Gaza had reached 115.
It said 10 soldiers had been killed in fighting in the north of the territory on Tuesday, the deadliest day so far for its forces since Israel’s ground assault into the territory began on October 27.
Gazans ‘Running out of Time’
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned Gazans were “running out of time and options” as the war grinds on.
“They face bombardment, deprivation and disease in an ever-shrinking space,” UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said.
Gaza’s health ministry said it had exhausted its supply of vaccines for children, with potentially “catastrophic health repercussions”.
The UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA warned the spread of diseases had intensified in the besieged territory.
Winter cold and rain has set in, with AFP journalists reporting refugees struggling to stay dry and warm in tents and under plastic sheeting.
Sullivan to Visit Israel
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will travel to Israel on Thursday and Friday to meet Netanyahu, his cabinet and President Isaac Herzog, the White House said.
It comes after US President Joe Biden warned Netanyahu that “indiscriminate” bombing in Gaza risked losing Israel its global support. He also said Netanyahu needed to “change” his stance on a two-state solution.
Separately, the US and the UK announced fresh sanctions against more than a dozen Hamas officials and facilitators aimed at cutting off the group’s funding.
EU Chief Backs West Bank Sanctions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Violence has surged in the territory since the start of the war in Gaza, with about 270 Palestinians killed by settlers or Israeli security forces since October 7.
On December 5, the United States announced it would refuse visas for extremist settlers.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
