Live Updates: Israel resumes its raids across occupied West Bank

Saturday, December 23, 2023

07:17 GMT - Israeli forces launch attacks on West Bank

Israeli forces launched raids on multiple locations in the occupied West Bank, targeting cities such as Jenin, Nablus, Jericho, Bethlehem, and Hebron, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

In Jericho, Israeli soldiers, accompanied by military vehicles, raided the Ayn es-Sultan and Akabeti Jabr refugee camps, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian youth.

Similar incursions took place in Hebron, including the Yatta district and the Dheisheh Refugee Camp in Bethlehem.

06:10 GMT - Palestine reacts to UNSC Gaza resolution amid Israeli onslaught

Palestine's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the adoption by the United Nations Security Council [UNSC] of a resolution intended to help bring more humanitarian aid into blockaded Gaza.

The ministry, which is part of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, called the resolution "a step in the right direction," and said it would help "end the aggression, ensure the arrival of aid and protect the Palestinian people."

"We consider it a step that may contribute to alleviating the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip," the ministry statement added.

05:41 GMT - Israeli army carrying out more West Bank invasions

Israeli forces have invaded the city and refugee camp of Jenin.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that a large number of Israeli military vehicles, accompanied by a bulldozer, entered the city and the camp from the Jalama checkpoint, sparking clashes between youth and Israeli occupational forces.

They reported that several military vehicles were positioned near Jenin Government Hospital, close to the Horse Roundabout adjacent to Jenin's main entrance. Additional reinforcements were being deployed by the Israeli forces from various directions.

05:00 GMT - Palestine aid group says UNSC resolution 'utterly insufficient'

The head of Medical Aid for Palestinians [MAP] said that the UN Security Council [UNSC] resolution that called for more aid and better access to besieged Gaza is not a sufficient move.

Melanie Ward welcomed the resolution but said, "It is an utterly insufficient response to the scale of humanitarian need," The CEO of the UK-based charity noted that 20,000 Palestinians have been killed while a quarter of hospitals function and said the world continues to "fail Gaza's people in their darkest hour."

Ward said the resolution will not halt the "disaster."

04:15 GMT - US alleges Iran 'deeply involved' in Red Sea attacks

Iran was "deeply involved" in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and its intelligence was critical to enable Yemen's Houthi movement to target ships, the White House alleged on Friday.

Iran denies involvement in attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

Houthis, who say their attacks are in support of Palestinians under siege by Israel in Gaza, have targeted shipping in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, forcing shippers to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

03:30 GMT - British Jews commemorate Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks

British Jewish group Na'amod has organised a vigil in London to mourn Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks.

The crowd gathered at the Gasholder Park to join "a call to global action by activists in Jerusalem, where any public expression of solidarity with Palestinians risks hostile reprisals and repression."

Calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, end to siege of the territory and release of hostages, the protesters carried signs, some of which read: "Each person is a world," "End the siege," and "Cease-fire now."

For our live updates from Friday, December 22, click here.