Palestinians gather to receive flour rations for their families outside a warehouse of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 12, 2023. Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP
Doha, Qatar: The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution on Tuesday urging a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The vote in the 193-member world body was 153 in favor, 10 against, and 23 abstentions.
It portrayed a strong demonstration of global support for ending the war and the growing isolation of the United States and Israel. The support was higher than in the October 27 resolution where the vote was 120-14 with 45 abstentions.
Meanwhile, Israel continued to bombard Gaza as the number of Palestinians killed reached over 18,200. A civil defence official in the besieged enclave also stated that around 8,000 people are missing or feared to be trapped under the rubble.
Infectious diseases are also spreading among displaced people in Gaza as cases of meningitis, chickenpox, jaundice, and upper respiratory tract infections are reported.
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[10:30 pm Doha Time] The State of Qatar announced its pledge to provide $50 million as an initial humanitarian aid package to Gaza. Qatar pledged to provide 100 scholarships to Palestinian youth through the Education Above All Foundation. Read more.
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[6:45 pm Doha Time] The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, told the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, that Gazans were "facing the darkest chapter of their history since 1948, and it has been a painful history".
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[5:48 pm Doha Time] Rain aggravates civilian suffering in Gaza
Rainfall has sparked new challenges and concerns for the majority of Palestinians. People face a dramatic and deteriorating situation— from living in concrete houses to camps with tents that lack all kinds of basic needs. Read more.
Palestinians walk under the rain at a camp for displaced people in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip where most civilians have taken refuge, on December 13, 2023. (Photo by Mahmud Hams / AFP)
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[4:43 pm Doha Time] Hospitals are helpless: Gaza Health Ministry
According to the Gaza Health Ministry Spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra, 296 Palestinian medics have been killed by Israeli forces while 34 medics are currently detained.
Also since October 7, at least 32 civil defence staff have been killed, and at least 134 UNRWA staff members and one WHO staff member have been killed, announced UN agencies.
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[4:09 pm Doha Time] IN PHOTOS: Palestinians inspect the damages amid the rubble following Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 13, 2023. Photos by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP
[4:02 Doha Time] Heavy rain hits Gaza as evacuees try to find winter clothes
Since the morning, there has been heavy rain and wind and people are trying to find winter clothes.
Most of those who evacuated from the northern area left without bringing their winter clothes. They have been knocking on the doors of people whose house was not bombed, asking them for clothes.
Palestinians children warm up around a fire outside their makeshift tent at a camp set up on a schoolyard in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip where most civilians have taken refuge, on December 13, 2023. Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP
A woman told Al Jazeera that she had been trying to find a winter jacket for her baby for over two days.
People have been left homeless, without food, without clothes. Hind Khoudary, and Al Jazeera reporter in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza stated that the situation right now is very harsh, and it is getting worse.
[4:00 pm Doha Time] Qatar strongly condemns Israeli decision to confiscate Palestinian lands in East Jerusalem
Qatar has strongly condemned the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to confiscate Palestinian lands in the Silwan neighbourhood of occupied East Jerusalem to build an air train.
It also considered this decision a flagrant violation of the principles and provisions of international law, and the relevant 'UNESCO' resolutions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities to oblige Israel to stop its measures aiming at changing the historical and legal status of the city of Jerusalem.
[2:38 pm Doha Time] Qatar delivers new batch of aid for Palestinians in Gaza
The aid includes food supplies, medical equipment, and shelter supplies.
[12:43 pm Doha Time] Gaza Health Ministry runs out of children’s vaccinations
The development could lead to dire consequences on children’s health and will increase the spread of diseases, the ministry warned.
Some 360,000 cases of diseases have been detected in crowded shelters for the 1.9 million people displaced by Israel’s military onslaught, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest situation report yesterday.
[11:30 am Doha Time] Biden warns Netanyahu risks losing support for Gaza war
US President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday that the country risked losing global support for its war against Hamas because of its "indiscriminate" bombing of Gaza.
In his most blunt remarks since the October 7, Biden told donors that Netanyahu needed to "change" his stance on a two-state solution for the Palestinians. Read more
[9:50 am Doha Time] IN PHOTOS: Smoke billows during Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 12, 2023. Photos by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP
[9:00 am Doha Time] Disease spreads among Gaza’s 1.9 million displaced people: UN
Infectious disease is spreading in Gaza and people are at risk as the Palestinian territory’s Health Ministry reports that 360,000 cases of disease have been found in crowded shelters for the 1.9 million people displaced by Israel’s military onslaught.
A Palestinian child walks amidst the rain at camp for displaced people in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP
In its latest situation report on conditions in Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also said that the WHO has reported cases of meningitis, chickenpox, jaundice, and upper respiratory tract infections in Gaza.
A general view shows a screen of votes during a United Nations General Assembly meeting to vote on a non-binding resolution demanding "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza at UN headquarters in New York on December 12, 2023. Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP
[8:00 am Doha Time] US ‘isolated from international community’, says MSF
The US director of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Washington has “failed to show compassion or leadership” by voting against the UNGA ceasefire resolution.
“Today, the majority of the world stood together to demand an end to this bloodshed and suffering in Gaza,” Avril Benoit said, stressing the US position will “allow the carnage” in Gaza to continue.
“The US is increasingly isolated in its steadfast support of a war that seems to have no rules and no limits.”
