The latest from the Israel-Gaza conflict as more civilians are slaughtered and calls for ceasefires go unheard. Some international takes on the conflict include fears that the Democrats’ support for Israel will weaken Kamala Harris’s chances of being elected and Spain has announced a freeze on purchases of arms from Israel.
More civilian deaths – and fears of the lack of humanitarian aid going into the area are other top stories from the region.
In an opinion piece for Al Jazeera, Mohamad Elmasry, suggests that Biden-Harris’s demand to Israel to get aid into Gaza within 30 days or face consequences, was more of an attempt to win over US voters and hide America’s own role in the genocide:
Blinken and Austin’s letter can also be read as an attempt by the Biden administration to cover its own back and try to shield itself against allegations of complicity in genocide. Sure, the administration continues to fund Israel’s genocide and provide it with diplomatic cover, but now, if it ever has to excuse its behaviour, it can point to this letter and say it had at least given Israel a serious admonition.
Hezbollah says it killed about 70 Israeli soldiers in weeks of clashes
Hezbollah says its fighters killed more than 70 Israeli troops in its clashes with Israeli forces – (up from 55 last week) since a ground invasion was launched earlier this month.
Israel strikes on Lebanon finance firms ‘illegal’: UN expert
Ben Saul, the United Nations special rapporteur on the protection of human rights while countering terrorism, says Israel’s bombing of branches of a Hezbollah-linked financial firm in Lebanon this week is a clear violation of international law.
Support for Israel threatens Democrats’ election chances
Mohamad Bazzi, from New York University, says the Biden administration has taken a huge gamble by militarily and politically supporting Israel during its wars on Gaza and now Lebanon, as the US election quickly approaches.
UN ‘very concerned’ as polio vaccinations halted in Gaza
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is “very concerned about the postponement of the latest phase of the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza as a result of escalating violence and a lack of access”.
Four Palestinians killed by Israeli air strike on Gaza City
An Israeli air strike has targeted the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood in southwestern Gaza City, killing four Palestinian civilians and injuring others, according to the Wafa news agency, which quoted medical sources.
Spain freezes purchase of arms from Israel
Spain’s defence ministry has told the Spanish newspaper El Pais that all of Spain’s contracts to buy weapons from Israel have been suspended since October 7, 2023, with the exception of maintenance work.
