Live Updates: Effort to provide UN aid to millions in Gaza 'in tatters'

Friday, December 8, 2023

04:15 GMT- No place in Gaza is safe - UN

The United Nations humanitarian chief has said that efforts to provide food, water and other supplies to millions in Gaza are in tatters.

Martin Griffiths said no place in the territory is safe because the pace of the Israeli military onslaught in southern Gaza is similar to the assault in the north.

"What's happening in Gaza is forcing the people of Gaza to choose where to be and to choose on the basis of violence — and pressure," Griffiths said.

04:00 GMT - US says Israel needs to do more to protect Palestinian civilians

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said there is “a gap” between what Israel pledged to do to protect Palestinian civilians and the results so far since it began intensive bombardment and land invasion of Gaza.

Blinken said that it remains "imperative" that Israel do more to ensure civilians are not killed or wounded. He recalled that Israeli officials had assured him on a visit to Israel last week that "they would take extra precautions to protect civilian life." He said he raised the issue again on Thursday.

"As we stand here almost a week into this campaign in the south and after the end of the humanitarian pause, it is imperative, it remains imperative, that Israel put a premium on civilian protection," Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference in Washington with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

03:26 GMT - Israel agrees to open Karem Abu Salem fence crossing with Gaza

Israel has agreed, at US request, to open Karem Abu Salem fence crossing for only screening and inspection of humanitarian aid delivered into Gaza via Rafah crossing, a senior US official said.

Washington has been discussing with the Israelis for weeks the possible opening of the crossing to speed up the inspection process of the aid trucks. The US official did not give a timeframe on when the crossing would open.

03:00 GMT - UAE asks UNSC to vote on Friday on demand for ceasefire

The United Arab Emirates has asked for the UN Security Council to vote on Friday morning on a draft resolution that demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Israel's relentless bombardment on Gaza, diplomats said.

To be adopted, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, France or Britain.

The US has said it does not support any further action by the council at this time.

For our live updates from Thursday (December 7), click here.