Live Updates: China calls for larger-scale peace conference on Gaza war

Monday, January 15, 2024

05:50 GMT - China calls for major peace conference on Gaza

China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the war in Gaza continues to escalate and China is calling for a larger-scale, more authoritative and effective international peace conference and a concrete timetable to implement a two-state solution.

Wang made the comments to reporters after talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, sharing his views on the Israeli aggression in Gaza, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.

Separately, Wang also held talks with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States where the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the conflict, reaching several points on helping to solve the crisis.

05:16 GMT - Australian foreign minister calls for 'sustainable ceasefire'

Australia's foreign minister has called for a "sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza as she left for a Middle East tour that includes a visit to the occupied West Bank and meetings with the families of Israeli hostages.

Penny Wong said she would use the visits to Jordan, Israel, the occupied West Bank and the United Arab Emirates to advocate for a pathway out of the current conflict and a lasting peace in the form of a two-state solution.

Australia would also use its voice to push for more humanitarian assistance, greater protection of civilians and a de-escalation of regional tensions, she added.

04:41 GMT - US says it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi-controlled areas

US fighter aircraft have shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Houthi areas of Yemen toward a US destroyer operating in the Southern Red Sea, the US military said.

The midair interception is the latest incident in the Red Sea where the Houthis have been attacking international shipping in what they say is a campaign to support Palestinians under siege from Israeli forces in Gaza.

It follows a series of American and British airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen that have drawn threats of a "strong" response from the Iranian-backed militia.

04:00 GMT - International Union of Muslim Scholars forms delegation for Gaza mission

The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) announced that it has assembled a delegation which will enter Gaza through Egypt as Israel continues its military onslaught on the enclave.

Ali Muhyiddin al Qaradaghi, the Secretary-General of the Qatar-based IUMS, said in a statement on X that the delegation will enter Gaza through Egypt's Rafah border crossing.

He said IUMS has asked for support from Egypt and Sheikh Ahmed al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar University, to facilitate their journey.

03:50 GMT - WHO director-general 'marks 100th day of tragedy' in Gaza

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described Gaza situation as a "tragedy" reiterating his call for a ceasefire.

Emphasising that there is a "major humanitarian crisis" in Gaza following the attacks, Ghebreyesus said on X: "Today we mark 100 days of a tragedy."

"More than 24,000 Gazans killed — 70% women and children; more injured, many grievously," he said.

03:16 GMT - Israeli footballer excluded from Turkish football club squad over gesture flouting 'national values'

Israeli football player Sagiv Jehezkel has been excluded from the squad of Antalyaspor over a gesture that went against "national values," the Turkish football club announced.

Jehezkel expressed solidarity with Israel by raising his bandaged hand after scoring a goal against Trabzonspor, referencing to the attack carried out by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7 and the 100 days that have since passed.

"Sagiv Jehezkel, following his goal in the 68th minute during the match against Trabzonspor, has been deemed to have acted against our country's national values by sharing an inscription on his wrist.

02:50 GMT - Hamas urges Germany to reverse decision to support Israel in ICJ genocide case

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas urged Germany to reconsider its decision to back Tel Aviv before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague in the Netherlands in the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel.

The statement was made by Hamas leader Izzat al Rashq two days after the German government announced that it would intervene as a third party in the case, arguing that Israel has not violated the Genocide Convention during its war on Gaza since October 7.

“We call on Germany to stop all forms of support for the Zionist crimes and to reject and criminalize the genocide being committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” he said in a statement.

02:30 GMT - Four Palestinians killed by Israeli army fire in occupied West Bank

Four Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

A ministry statement said a 14-year-old boy lost his life after Israeli forces opened fire in the Ein Sultan refugee camp northwest of Jericho city.

According to the state news agency Wafa, the boy was shot in the chest by Israeli forces. He was transferred to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

For our live updates from Sunday, January 14, click here.