US, UK launch joint airstrikes on Houthi sites in Yemen

Israeli bombardments killed at least 45 Palestinians, including women, children, and war-displaced individuals, targeting "residential houses, buildings, towers, and residential squares," according to the UN,

Israeli troops encircled the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) ambulance fleet headquarters, inhibiting their ability to "provide support in the area." Near Al Amal Hospital and its ambulance center, Israeli attacks resulted in "dozens of casualties."

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that patients, the wounded, and around 13,000 displaced people sheltering in Al Amal Hospital and the PRCS headquarters couldn't evacuate.

The UN said that Israeli military restrictions in northern Gaza and the intensity of fighting have "heavily compromised" humanitarian operations, affecting their ability to work safely and effectively in the Palestinian territory.

#Gaza Hostilities have further escalated in Khan Younis.

A strike reportedly hit near Al Amal hospital, but the intensity of hostilities nearby prevented patients and displaced people from leaving.#NotATarget

This and more in Flash Update #99👇

— OCHA oPt (Palestine) (@ochaopt) January 23, 2024

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his "deep concern" regarding reports of combat near Al-Amal Hospital and the Israeli raid on Al-Khair Hospital in Gaza.

He reiterated his demand for an immediate ceasefire in the territory.

"These actions not only endanger patients and those seeking refuge in these facilities but also hinder the rescue and treatment of newly injured individuals outside the hospitals," he stated in a Tuesday post on X.

"This must end."
 

We are deeply concerned by reports of continuous fighting in the vicinity of Al-Amal Hospital, and today's raid at Al-Kheir Hospital in #Gaza are deeply worrisome.

Not only do they put patients and people seeking safety within these facilities at risk, but they also prevent…

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 22, 2024

UN expert Michael Fakhri described Israel's actions in Gaza as "unprecedented," accusing them of "intentionally imposing dehydration and starvation" on the region in a post on X.

Fakhri stated, "It's unprecedented to make an entire civilian population go hungry this completely & quickly."

"Israel is destroying Gaza’s food system," he added.

Since early October, Israel has regulated the entry of food and water into Gaza, with even tighter restrictions in northern Gaza.

On October 9, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared that food, water, fuel, and medicine would be barred from Gaza, stating, "We are fighting human animals."

It's unprecedented to make an entire civilian population go hungry this completely & quickly. Israel is destroying Gaza’s food system. Israel is intentionally imposing a high rate of disease, prolonged malnutrition, dehydration + starvation by destroying civilian infrastructure https://t.co/23k3r2NSzI

— Michael Fakhri (@MichaelFakhri) January 22, 2024

Yemen's official Saba news agency, as reported by Agence France-Presse, said that “American-British forces are launching raids on the capital of Sanaa” along with various other regions in Yemen.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-affiliated television channel, reported that the Al-Dailami military base, situated north of Sanaa and under rebel control, was hit by four airstrikes.

Since November, the Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea, claiming they are attacking vessels linked to Israel to support Palestinians in Gaza amid the conflict with Israel.

US Central Command (Centcom) has released recent videos and photos of their airstrikes targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In a post on X, Centcom described the strikes as “part of ongoing international efforts to respond to increased Houthi destabilizing and illegal activities in the region”.

According to the Associated Press, this recent flurry of allied assaults represents the eighth instance of US-led strikes on Houthi locations since 12 January.

U.S. Forces, Allies Conduct Joint Strikes in Yemen

As part of ongoing international efforts to respond to increased Houthi destabilizing and illegal activities in the region, on Jan. 22 at approximately 11:59 p.m. (Sanaa / Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK… pic.twitter.com/BQwEKZqMAo

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 22, 2024

The spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi rebels Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti described the UK and the US as perpetrators of genocide in Gaza and said airstrikes 'will only increase the Yemeni people’s determination'

"The American-British aggression will only increase the Yemeni people’s determination to carry out their moral and humanitarian responsibilities towards the oppressed in Gaza," Al-Bukhaiti said in a post on X.

"The war today is a conflict between Yemen, endeavouring to halt the crimes of genocide, and the American-British coalition backing its executors," he added.

The American-British aggression will only increase the Yemeni people’s determination to carry out their moral and humanitarian responsibilities towards the oppressed in Gaza.

The war today is between Yemen, which is struggling to stop the crimes of genocide, and the… pic.twitter.com/C4bhcHLjNv

— محمد البخيتي(Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti) (@M_N_Albukhaiti) January 22, 2024

The UK government has confirmed its involvement in the Monday joint airstrikes on Yemen.

"Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a pair of Voyager tankers, joined US forces in a deliberate strike against Houthi sites in Yemen," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Reuters reports that the recent airstrikes by the US and UK were aimed at a Houthi underground storage location, along with missile and air surveillance facilities.

The news agency referenced a statement that described these strikes as "proportionate and necessary."

Prime Minister Sunak faced criticism for approving the initial strikes without consulting the parliament, prompting some MPs to call for scrutiny in the House of Commons.

However, PA mentions that Sunak did inform opposition leader Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey about the strikes.

Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Jagan Chapagain, said that the bombardment around the Al Amal hospital in Khan Younis "increases the risks to the lives of staff & volunteers" at the Red Crescent, who operate from the hospital.

 "I repeat my call to ensure protection of civilians, humanitarian aid workers, ambulances, and health facilities," he added.

I am deeply concerned by the recent reports of intense shelling in the vicinity of @PalestineRCS Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.

This increases the risks to the lives of staff & volunteers of @PalestineRCS significantly as they work 24/7 to assist those in humanitarian need.

I… pic.twitter.com/qaPltBkcKS

— Jagan Chapagain (@jagan_chapagain) January 22, 2024

Explosions were reported in Yemen's capital Sanaa as the US and the UK strike Houthis in Yemen.

A Houthi representative told Al Jazeera that the strikes impacted al-Dailami Air Base in Sanaa and sites in Taiz, Al Bayda, and Hajjah provinces.

A US official said that the operations were aimed at Houthi missile sites, drone facilities, and arms depots, Al Jazeera has reported.

These US-led air operations are a response to the Houthi assaults on maritime traffic in the Red Sea, allegedly targeting ships associated with Israel and in solidarity with Gaza, as claimed by the Houthis.

The United States and the United Kingdom have initiated coordinated air attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen, according to two US defense officials speaking to CBS News. 

These strikes targeted various installations, including radar systems, as reported to CBS.

The US Navy's 5th Fleet, stationed in the Middle East, has rejected the Houthis' claim of launching an attack on the US military cargo ship Ocean Jazz.

In a statement, the 5th Fleet declared, "The Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists’ report of an alleged successful attack on M/V [merchant vessel] Ocean Jazz is patently false."

The statement added that the US Navy "has maintained constant communications with M/V Ocean Jazz throughout its safe transit."

The Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists' report of an alleged successful attack on M/V Ocean Jazz is patently false. NAVCENT has maintained constant communications with M/V Ocean Jazz throughout its safe transit.

— U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 22, 2024

Israel has reportedly put forward a ceasefire proposal that could last up to two months, conditional on the release of over 130 individuals held in Gaza, according to Axios. 

This phased exchange would also include releasing an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.

The report, based on information from two Israeli officials, suggests that Israeli forces would withdraw from major areas in Gaza.

This move would facilitate the return of Palestinian civilians to Gaza City and northern parts of the enclave. Post the two-month period, the Israeli military's activities in Gaza are expected to be considerably reduced in both scale and intensity compared to the current conflict.

Hamas has stipulated that any deal for releasing the captives must include a complete cessation of hostilities and the release of all Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli government is facing pressure from a movement led by relatives of the captives, who are advocating for an immediate agreement.

John Kirby says that the US administration only supports pauses in the bombardment of Gaza to allow the release of captives but it still opposes ending the war.

“We don’t support a general ceasefire, which is usually put in place in the expectation that you’re going to end a conflict and lead to specific negotiations – no change to our policy there.”

Hezbollah has announced its fighter Haidar Hussein Ibrahim was killed “on the road to Jerusalem” without providing further details.

Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad has denied allegations by the United States that it is involved in ferrying weapons, money, and fighters linked to Iran to Syria and Lebanon.

The airline has called on the US Treasury to present proof against both the company and its management.

In a statement, Fly Baghdad emphasized its longstanding operation under the Iraqi government's strict oversight, specifically through the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Transport. The airline added that all its flights undergo thorough inspections at every airport.

The airline's website lists various destinations, including India, the UAE, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Syria. Fly Baghdad has also asserted that its flight operations are proceeding normally without any disruptions for any reason.

Hezbollah reported launching rocket strikes targeting a group of Israeli soldiers near Even Menachem, saying they have struck "direct hits".

Hezbollah had also announced earlier attacks on Israeli outposts in Shebaa Farms, a contested area claimed by Lebanon but under Israeli control.

The US administration expressed its "devastation" over the killing of 17-year-old Tawfiq Ajaq in the West Bank.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Ajaq reportedly died when Israeli troops and settlers fired live rounds at his vehicle in the village of al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya, as stated by his family.

Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the US Department of State, announced the US plans to investigate the events leading to Ajaq's killing.

The Israeli army has announced the names of its three soldiers recently killed in Gaza, David Nati Alfasi, Ilay levy Eyal and Mevorach Twito. It said that two other soldiers were injured.

The Israeli military also added that nearly 200 soldiers were killed since the start of the ground invasion of Gaza and a total of 535 since 7 October .

Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant has met with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu and praised France for its “commitment to changing the security situation in southern Lebanon, and to distancing Hezbollah forces from the border,” the Israeli government said in a statement.

“Minister Gallant reiterated the preference of Israel to pursue the diplomatic channel, while also maintaining military readiness,” it added.

“Minister Gallant added that even if Hezbollah ceases fire unilaterally, Israel will not cease fire until it can guarantee the safe return of the northern communities to their homes, following a change in the security situation along the border.”

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has announced that they are behind the latest attack on a US military base near the Koniko gas field in eastern Syria.

The group said the attack was in response to Israel’s war on Gaza and the US occupation of Iraq, as two missile salvos were fired during different times earlier today.

 Iran is “very directly involved” in ship attacks that Yemen's Houthis have carried out during Israel's war on Gaza, the US Navy's top Mideast commander told news agency The Associated Press on Monday.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the Navy's 5th Fleet, stopped short of saying Tehran directed individual attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden .

However, Cooper acknowledged that attacks associated with Iran have expanded from previously threatening just the Persian Gulf and its Strait of Hormuz into waters across the wider Middle East.

"Clearly, the Houthi actions, probably in terms of their attacks on merchant shipping, are the most significant that we’ve seen in two generations,” he told the AP.

“The facts simply are that they’re attacking the international community; thus, the international response I think you’ve seen.”

Iran's mission to the United Nations have not responded to Cooper's remarks. 

According to Israeli news publication, the Times of Israel, Netanyahu's government has avoided a vote of confidence that was filed in opposition over the “failure” to secure the return of the captives held by Hamas in Gaza.

After Israel's Labor Party announced last week that it would submit a motion for a vote of no confidence in Netanyahu's government, the proposal only received 18 votes.

The no confidence motion would have required 61 votes to pass. While the vote was boycotted by the coalition, no member of the Knesset voted against the motion. 

The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has said that phone and internet services in Gaza have not been functioning for the past week.

UNRWA said in a post that such “disruption of telecommunication services prevents people accessing life-saving information, calling first responders & continues to impede humanitarian response”.

The📍#GazaStrip is experiencing the longest communications shutdown since the war began.

People are cut off from loved ones and the rest of the world, increasing the feeling of isolation.

It also impedes humanitarian response and restricts access to lifesaving information. pic.twitter.com/tiY3uwPxsr

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) January 22, 2024

The office of British prime minister Rishi Sunak has emphasised Britain's support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not compromise on “full Israeli security control of all territory west of the Jordan River”.

“It’s disappointing to hear this from the Israeli prime minister," Sunak’s spokesman told reporters.

“The UK’s position remains [that] a two-state solution, with a viable and sovereign Palestinian state living alongside a safe and secure Israel, is the best route to lasting peace."

Britain on Monday sanctioned individuals linked to Hamas, including financiers and leaders of the Palestinian group, saying the measures would help cut off its funding including from Iran.

The move was taken in coordination with the United States. 

The British sanctions target Zuheir Shamlakh, a man known as Hamas's "main money changer", and a key figure involved in the group's shift towards cryptocurrencies who helped transfer large sums of money from Iran to Hamas ahead of the group's October 7 attacks on Israel, Britain's foreign office said.

"These sanctions send a clear message to Hamas – the UK and our partners are committed to ensuring there is no hiding place for those financing terrorist activities," British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said.

The sanctions also target a senior official of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another militant group.

 The United States issued new sanctions on Monday targeting individuals linked to Hamas and an individual linked to Iraq's Fly Baghdad airline, the Treasury Department's website showed. 

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz has suggested that Palestinians could be housed on an artificial island in the Mediterranean, according to sources at the meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.

It is understood that Katz presented a video on the concept to the 27 EU foreign ministers as an alternative to the two-state solution.

He told them the video referred to a plan made some years ago when he was a transport minister.

The intervention has caused dismay in Brussels where the EU representatives were meeting as part of a mission to lay the ground for a "comprehensive peace plan".

Israeli news outlets Haaretz and Maariv report that Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that if the Gaza war should end, it would be the end of the current Israeli government.

According to the newspapers, the comments were directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a party meeting.

This comes after repeated clashes with Netanyahu in recent weeks.

Israeli nationals residing in Germany can remain in the country until April 26 without having to apply for a residence permit or an extension to their visa-free stay following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, the German Interior Ministry said on Monday.

Israeli citizens can stay in Germany for 90 days without a visa. From January 26 to April 26, they will now be exempt from the requirement for a residence permit to stay, the ministry added.

"With our regulation, we are enabling Israeli citizens to stay in Germany for a further three months without having to apply for a residence permit. This is pragmatic and unbureaucratic help for people who we want to support in this difficult situation," said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club warned on Sunday, 21 January, that disease is spreading among Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails due to overcrowding cells and deteriorating sanitary conditions since 7 October.

In a statement on Sunday, the Prisoners' Club said that according to available data gathered through testimonies of Palestinians released from Israeli jails, there is a spread of skin diseases among Palestinian detainees.

To read the full report by The New Arab's West Bank correspondent Qassam Muaddi, please click here.

Israeli warplanes have raided within the vicinity of the towns Taybeh, Marwahin, Shihin, and Tair Harfa in southern Lebanon, according to a report by Al Jazeera Arabic.

The towns of Kafr Kila and Al-Adisa were also hit by incendiary shells, while missiles were fired towards an Israeli military site in the Upper Galilee.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told representatives of the captives' families that Hamas does not have a serious offer for an exchange deal, but that "there is an initiative on our part, but I will not go into its details."

"There is no real proposal by Hamas. It's not true. I am saying this as clearly as I can because there are so many incorrect statements which are certainly agonising for you," he added.

The Israeli military has stated that it will be investigating an incident filmed on video that has since been circulating online recently on reservists who demonstrated while on active duty.

The statement said that their actions were not in accordance with military orders.

Gaza’s media office have issued a latest update, stating that Israel has bombed Al-Aqsa University Shelter, University College Accommodation, Khalidiya School Shelter, Al-Mawasi School Shelter and Khan Younis Industry Shelter- where 30,000 displaced people were seeking refuge.

“[Israelis] claimed they were safe centres and called on citizens to take refuge in them. Then committed a massacre that left many martyrs. This comes within the framework of a genocidal war launched by the occupation against civilians, children and women, in the Gaza Strip,” a statement on Telegram said.

The statements goes on to hold other parties, other than Israel, responsible for “these ongoing crimes” such as the international community, the US administration, and US President Joe Biden “personally”.

“They are the ones who gave the occupation the green light to commit these massacres, and they also refused to stop this brutal war on the Gaza Strip.”

This is Al-Aqsa University campus in Khan Younis before the start of the Israeli assault on Gaza, and as the assault intensified, the university opened its doors for the refugees from the north and centre.1/3 pic.twitter.com/6QqXkvBX9y

— Birzeit University (@BirzeitU) January 22, 2024

Renowned Palestinian-British writer and director Ahmed Masoud has announced the killing of his brother Khalid in Gaza by an Israeli air strike.

“I knew I was going to write a post like this, I knew I wouldn’t find the words,” Masoud wrote in a post on X.

Earlier this month, he made updates on the near destruction of his brother's home how his brother Khalid’s home, after being targeted by an Israeli air attack- leading to his brother being shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper. 

“A few days ago he went missing. A drone bombed, he lost his leg and bled for three days. My brother and friend is gone.”

I knew I was going to write a post like this, I knew I wouldn't find the words. My brother Khalid's house was bombed 1st, then he got shot by an Israeli sniper. A few days ago he went missing, a drone bombed, he lost his leg and bled for 3 days. My brother and friend is gone https://t.co/gpQwseAPC9 pic.twitter.com/xPV0DxGlB6

— Ahmed Masoud (@masoud_ahmed) January 22, 2024

Morocco has marked a historic day with a record-breaking over one hundred pro-Palestinian protests amidst the growing solidarity with Palestine in the North African kingdom. 

"Morocco witnessed 111 protests on Friday in 66 cities over the kingdom. Dozens of protests took place over the weekend," stated the Moroccan Authority for Advocating the Nation's Causes, a local Islamist organisation. 

On Friday, 19 January, thousands took to the streets after Friday's Islamic prayer, chanting, "We all sacrifice for resilient Gaza", as they waved flags of Palestine and Hamas' armed group, Al-Qassam. 

To read more on the report by The New Arab's Morocco correspondent Basma El Atti, click here.

Mohammad Shtayyeh has urged the world to take practical steps on establishing a Palestinian state to be translated during a speech before a cabinet meeting.

He hoped there would be an international consensus in considering adding sanctions on Israel for its ongoing aggression, colonialism, occupation, and rejection of peace, according to a report by Palestinian state news agency Wafa.

Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), said in an interview with Al Jazeera English that the organisation is “extremely worried” about the safety of their teams at southern Gaza's al-Amal hospital and other facilities.

Palestine Red Crescent Society is extremely worried for the safety of the our team and the people taking shelter at our facilities in #KhanYounis .
Nebal Farsakh , PRCS Spokesperson 👇#NotATarget ❌#IHL #Gaza pic.twitter.com/fN0uOWESO5

— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) January 22, 2024

At least 50 Palestinians were killed and 100 wounded in Israeli military strikes on Khan Younis since Sunday night, the Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qudra told news agency Reuters on Monday.

“We believe that many victims are trapped under the rubble and in areas the occupation forces had invaded where the medical teams are unable to reach to them,” Al-Qudra added, implying that the number of fatalities could go higher.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently meeting with representatives of families of the captives held in Gaza, according to Israeli media outlets.

Relatives and supporters of the captives held in Gaza by Hamas have continually protested against the government, as seen in the recent breaking in of a finance committee at the Knesset for further action.

One woman held up pictures of three family members who were among the 253 people seized in the cross-border rampage of October 7.

Some 130 remain held in Gaza after others were brought home in a November truce.

"Just one I'd like to get back alive, one out of three!" the protester cried after pushing into the Knesset Finance Committee discussion. Other protesters, clad in black T-shirts, held up signs reading: "You will not sit here while they die there."

"Release them now, now, now!" they chanted.

Israeli news publication Haaretz has reported multiple people who are currently blocking the entrance to the Israeli parliament.

They are chanting “elections now” as police are reportedly evacuating demonstrators from the area by force.

BREAKING:

⚡ 🇮🇱 Hostage families storm Israeli Knesset

The Knesset was suspended after families of the hostages forced their way through security.

The anger and impatience towards Netanyahu is growing. Israel is incapable of either defeating Hamas or freeing the hostages.… pic.twitter.com/dXRXDauYbp

— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) January 22, 2024

Sweden’s foreign minister Tobias Billstrom has said that diplomats are set to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict among other subjects.

“The two-state solution is the only viable solution,” he said.

He also said that sanctions should be put against Hamas, as well as proposed measures against illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

We need ceasefire for humanitarian reasons in Gaza, respect for international humanitarian law, release of all hostages & to prevent regional escalation. 🇸🇪 welcomes sanctions against Hamas & proposed measures against extremist settlers. We need peace through a 2-state solution⤵️ https://t.co/8yrT4bJZDe

— Sweden in EU (@SwedeninEU) January 22, 2024

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza have issued its latest death toll update, stating it has risen to 25,295 who have been killed since the start of the war on October 7.

63,00o have also been claimed as wounded, while 190 Palestinians were killed and 340 injured during the past 24 hours.
 

Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, put up tents camp during a protest calling for the immediate release of the captives in Gaza, outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence.

This comes as intensifying pressure is added onto the Israeli leader to secure the return of hostages in Gaza.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum sent a message to Netanyahu as the group said that “clearly state that we will not abandon civilians, soldiers, and others kidnapped in the October debacle”.

“We must advance the deal now. If the prime minister decides to sacrifice the hostages, he should show leadership and honestly share his position with the Israeli public,” it said.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Netanyahu's refusal to end the military offensive in Gaza “means there is no chance for the return of the captives.”

Jordan’s foreign minister has criticised the Israeli government’s “radical racist agenda”, saying it has defied the world in its rejection for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

“The only way out of this misery is a two-state solution,” Ayman Safadi told reporters at an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.

“They are defying the whole international community and it is about time the world took a stand.”

US intelligence agencies predict that Hamas has lost only 20-30 percent of its fighters since the start of Israel's war on Gaza.

The estimates contrast Israel's repeated claims that it vowed to "destroy" Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip. 

According to the intelligence report which was cited by US news outlet the Wall Street Journal, Hamas is still able to fight against Israeli forces and launch rockets into Israel "for months".

Additionally, the report said unlike Israeli officials that stated around 16,000 Hamas fighters have been injured, a range of 10,500 to 11,700 fighters have been wounded with the possibility of several capable of returning to duty.

A two-state solution to allow for the peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians is the 'only solution' to the current conflict, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday before heading into a EU foreign ministers' meeting.

"All those who say they don't want to hear about such a solution have not brought any alternative", she added, while also calling for an urgent 'humanitarian pause' to the war raging in the Gaza Strip. 

The United States has vowed a response to the ballistic missile attack on its base that hosted American troops in Iraq.

In an interview with ABC News, White House Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer said that the use of ballistic missiles “posed a genuine threat”.

“We are going to respond … to establish deterrence in these situations, and to hold these groups accountable that continue to attack us,” Finer told ABC.

“Multiple ballistic missiles and rockets” were fired by Iran-backed fighters at Al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq late Saturday, according to the US military said, that led to one Iraqi and “possible” American casualties.

 “You can be assured that we are taking this extremely seriously,” Finer said.

Israel’s coordination office for its activities in Palestine (COGAT) has issued a statement, saying that 260 trucks carrying humanitarian aid have been allowed to enter Gaza, adding that it is “the highest number since the start of the war”.

COGAT also claimed that there is no limit on how much aid is allowed to enter the besieged Palestinian enclave. 

Prior to the war since October 7, around 500 aid trucks entered Gaza daily. However aid groups have stated that the current figure has been “a drop in the ocean” of what is required in the war-torn territory.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has posted an update on its X account, stating that Israeli forces have blocked movement for first responders to reach the injured in Khan Younis.

🚨Urgent: PRCS ambulances unable to reach the wounded in Khan Yunis. Israeli occupation forces are besieging the PRCS ambulance center, and targeting anyone attempting to move in the area.#Gaza #NotATarget ❌#IHL pic.twitter.com/NXOT2Zzvlv

— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) January 22, 2024

The southern Gaza city of Khan Younis has been mostly damaged or under destruction due to ongoing Israeli air strikes.

A latest video by an Israeli soldier on the ground show how they are directly conducting targets towards residential buildings. 

Amid Israel's war on Gaza, troops have continually filmed themselves ridiculing Palestinians, as the video depicted a soldier who boldly showed how the army dismantled 40 residential buildings at once.

Itamar Bello posted the video on Facebook, showing various angles of the explosion that destroyed the buildings- as well as a proud photo of himself alongside several mines used for the demolition.

They’re blowing up entire neighborhoods in Khan Younis |

Israeli soldiers of Givati Brigade blew up 40 houses this evening, according to a soldier on facebook. See the mines used in the comment. pic.twitter.com/Ed0EmyCR6h

— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) January 22, 2024

In response to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Zhang Jun has demanded “concrete steps” towards a two-state solution, including Palestine's membership at the UN.

Earlier in December, Zhang said “enough is enough” when questioned by reporters if he had a message to nations that opposed a ceasefire in Gaza.

China had also criticised the US's decision to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire, saying it was “disappointing and regrettable”.

It's high time to implement the two-state solution with concrete steps, including a full membership for #Palestine in the UN. https://t.co/L13PDcQPYZ

— Zhang Jun (@ChinaAmbUN) January 21, 2024

 France's foreign minister said on Monday he was hopeful the European Union (EU) would impose sanctions on Israeli settlers who are committing acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Hezbollah has stated that it has targetted Israeli forces preparing who were planning to attack in Lebanon.

“In support of the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant resistance, we targeted last night with missiles an Israeli force in the vicinity of the Zarit barracks that was preparing to carry out an aggression inside Lebanese territory,” a Hezbollah statement read via Syria’s state-run SANA news agency.

The statement added that the attack “led to confirmed casualties among its ranks”.

Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen TV news channel also reported on the missile strike.

The EU's foreign policy chief on Monday insisted on a two-state solution as he told Israel it couldn't build peace "only by military means" ahead of talks with Israeli and Palestinian top diplomats.

The bloc's 27 foreign ministers are set to hold separate meetings with their counterparts from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and key Arab states in Brussels.

Josep Borrell repeated the condemnation from the United Nations of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "unacceptable" rejection of calls for a Palestinian state after the war in Gaza.

"What we want to do is to build a two-state solution. So let's talk about it," Borrell said.

He told Israel that "peace and stability cannot be built only by military means".

"Which are the other solutions they have in mind? To make all the Palestinians leave? To kill off them?" Borrell said.

But while the bloodshed appears to have driven a long-term solution further out of sight, EU officials insist now is the time to talk about finally resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The EU's top diplomat said he had presented ministers from the bloc with a "comprehensive approach" towards trying to find a lasting peace.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

 yesterday rejected a demand by Hamas for an end to Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip as a condition for a further release of hostages held by the group. 

In televised remarks, Netanyahu said he categorically rejected "the surrender terms of the Hamas monsters",  which he said included a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the release of jailed militants who took part in the 7 October attack on Israel, and continued Hamas control of Gaza. 

His statement came amid reports of diplomatic efforts to renew negotiations on another truce and release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. 

Relatives of the hostages have stepped up their protests demanding that the government agree to a new deal for their release.