Live Updates: Gaza war one of 'bloodiest' in 21st century — report

Thursday, August 15, 2024

05:18 GMT — Gaza war one of 'bloodiest' in 21st century — report

In a recent investigation, Israel's Haaretz daily highlighted the ongoing Israeli carnage in Gaza as one of the "bloodiest" wars of the 21st century.

According to the newspaper, the war has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians, many of whom were in zones previously designated as "safe" by the Israeli military.

The report criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for accusing "the international community of hypocrisy concerning the war in the Gaza Strip – and to claim it is ignoring other conflicts and humanitarian disasters."

04:31 GMT — Israel claims to have killed two Hezbollah fighters

The Israeli army said that it killed two Hezbollah fighters in a drone strike on the town of Marjayoun in southern Lebanon.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Israeli military said that in addition to the drone strike, Israeli warplanes also struck a building used by Hezbollah in the town of Ayta ash Shab, and artillery shelling targeted the village of Rmeish in Bint Jbeil district.

03:49 GMT — Columbia University president resigns after crackdown on pro-Palestine protests

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said she resigned on Wednesday, nearly four months after overseeing the university's crackdown on-campus protests against Israel's carnage in Gaza.

"It has also been a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community. This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community," Shafik said in an email to staff and students.

02:36 GMT — US says Türkiye can talk to groups they can’t in Gaza ceasefire

US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake said that Türkiye can talk to groups that the US government simply can't.

At the US Embassy in the capital, Flake told reporters that Washington welcomes Ankara's role in efforts to reach a ceasefire deal in besieged Gaza.

"We welcome Türkiye's role specifically. We want an enduring peace afterwards. It's going to be a two-state solution," he added.

Stressing that they "encourage Israel in every discussion to limit civilian casualties as they respond to Hamas' attacks," he noted that they are working with Türkiye and other countries to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

02:00 GMT — Israel ready for all scenarios with Philadelphi Corridor: Army chief

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi announced that the military is preparing for all scenarios concerning the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, depending on political decisions.

"Holding the Philadelphi Route is an important thing because it deals with Hamas' force buildup," Halevi claimed.

He said the army is "ready to maintain a strong presence on the corridor if the political leadership decides to do so, but is also prepared to monitor and raid the area as needed if a different approach is taken.

For our live updates from Wednesday, August 14, 2024, click here.