Day 69-70

CWA # 1193
Day 69-70
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Nineth Week

IPRI Team
2 January 2024
Photo Source: Said Khatib, AFP

The Israel-Hamas War: Day 70
Rosemary Kurian, Nuha Aamina, Rishita Verma and Gananthula Uma Maheshwari

WAR ON THE GROUND
On 15 December, Israel continued its offensive in Gaza on Friday despite growing calls from the international community for moderation. This development came about  despite a senior US official stating that Tel Aviv had agreed to stop widespread bombing and ground operations and shift to precision targeting of Hamas. Dozens of people were killed by airstrikes throughout the strip, local authorities reported.

GLOBAL RESPONSE
On 15 December, according to Al Jazeera, Joe Biden, the President of the US, stated that Israel must shift to a “lower intensity” strategy of war against Hamas. He urged Israel to ensure that civilians are protected, and that it must “not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful.” 

On 15 December, Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor of the US, discussed the volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border, stating that the solution is a “negotiated outcome.”  Furthermore, he stressed that the US would not tolerate any threat posed by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The Israel-Hamas War: Day 69
Rosemary Kurian, Nuha Aamina, Rishita Verma and Gananthula Uma Maheshwari

WAR ON THE GROUND
On 14 December, Washington sent an envoy to urge Israel to be more targeted in its fight against Hamas, after Israel pounded the Gaza Strip, killing people in their houses. The war entered a fierce phase, with fighting raging throughout the entire Palestinian enclave and international organizations warning of a complete humanitarian catastrophe two weeks after the truce ended.

REGIONAL RESPONSE
On 14 December, the foreign ministry of Turkey condemned Israeli provocations during raids on refugee camps in the West Bank city of Jenin. Israeli troops read out Jewish prayers in the mosque, disrespecting the sanctity of the place. Oncu Keceli, the spokesperson of Turkey, called for an immediate end to the attack on Muslim holy places and severe punishment to those perpetrating the provocations.

GLOBAL RESPONSE
On 14 December, according to Arab News, Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK, dismissed the recent remarks made by the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, who rejected a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Sunak stated that he was “incredibly concerned” about the civilian attacks in Gaza and emphasized that the UK firmly believes that a two-state solution is the appropriate resolution to the conflict.

On 14 December, Retno Marsudi, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, confirmed that Indonesia would continue to work with Saudi Arabia and the other countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to end Israel's war in Gaza. Marsudi acknowledged that the challenge is tough but stated that they wouldn’t give up and would continue to try.

On 14 December, during a news conference, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, described the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip as a “catastrophe” that is incomparable to the Ukraine conflict. He said that Israel’s “special military operation” and the current state of Gaza have a “difference.”

On 13 December, Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor of the US, met with Mohammad bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and the means to a sustainable future between Israel and Palestine. The two discussed “several bilateral and regional matters” and humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Sullivan later travelled to Israel to discuss the war with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, after the US made comments on the “indiscriminate” killings in Gaza.

About the Authors
Rosemary Kurian and Nuha Aamina are undergraduate scholars from St Joseph's University, Bangalore. Rishita Verma and Gananthula Uma Maheshwari are postgraduate scholars from Pondicherry University.

Curated by Dhriti Mukherjee and Shamini, Research Assistants at NIAS.


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