Israel's ongoing attacks on besieged Gaza — now in its 61st day — has killed more than 16,248 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, and left more than 43,616 people wounded.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
0:4:47 GMT - Israel to retain control of Gaza - Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Israeli army will retain control of besieged Gaza's security after the war, rejecting the possibility of giving that responsibility to an international force.
Speaking at a news conference after a meeting with his war cabinet, Netanyahu said Gaza "must be demilitarised" after the war ends.
"And in order for Gaza to be demilitarised, there is only one force that can see to this demilitarisation – and that force is the IDF," he said, referring to the Israeli army, adding "no international force can be responsible for this."
04:00 GMT - Israel revokes UN humanitarian official's visa
Israel has announced that it decided to revoke the residence visa of UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings over her position concerning the Palestinian group Hamas’ October 7 surprise blitz.
"Someone who did not condemn Hamas for the brutal massacre of 1,200 Israelis, for the kidnapping of babies and the elderly and for the horrific acts of abuse and rape, and for using the residents of Gaza as human shields, but instead condemns Israel, a democratic country that protects its citizens, cannot serve in the UN and cannot enter Israel!" Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen wrote on X, accusing the UN of bias.
The move came amid growing criticism from the UN over Israel's war on besieged Gaza, which has killed more than 16,000 Palestinians.
For our live updates from Tuesday (December 5), click here.
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