Live Updates: US says downed Iranian drones, Houthi missile as Gaza war rages

Thursday, February 1, 2024

04:50 GMT - US downs Iranian drones, Houthi missile as Gaza war rages

An American warship has shot down three Iranian drones and a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthi group, the US military claimed.

"Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden. The missile was successfully shot down by the USS Carney," the Central Command said in a statement, referring to a US Navy destroyer.

Less than an hour later, "the USS Carney engaged and shot down three Iranian UAVs in its vicinity," CENTCOM said, without specifying whether the drones were armed or just for surveillance.

04:17 GMT - Biden to visit Michigan as Arab American anger over Gaza grows

US President Joe Biden will travel on Thursday to the crucial swing state of Michigan, which is also the crucible of growing Arab American anger at his pro-Israel policies.

The trip comes days after the Democratic incumbent's campaign manager travelled to the city of Dearborn — home to the largest Muslim population in the United States — only to be snubbed by the Detroit suburb's mayor.

It was an ominous sign for Biden, for whom swing states such as Michigan could prove crucial in November when he faces a likely rematch with his predecessor, Donald Trump.

03:27 GMT - Access to clean water in Gaza is 'matter of life and death': UN agency

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East [UNRWA] has said that in besieged Gaza, "access to clean water is a matter of life and death."

"In Gaza, every day is a struggle to find bread and water. Every day is a struggle to survive," it said on X.

The agency pointed out that "without safe water, many more people will die from deprivation and disease."

03:00 GMT - Abbas says won't let Israel split Gaza from Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded an end to Israel's brutal war on besieged Gaza, affirming unity between Palestinians in the blockaded enclave and the occupied West Bank, state-run WAFA news agency reported.

Abbas said Palestine "will not abandon [its] people in Gaza. We will share the livelihood, the salaries, and the stipends in Gaza and the West Bank. We will not allow the occupation's plans to separate Gaza from the rest of the Palestinian territory nor annex any part of it."

Abbas added, "We told the world that after halting the war of genocide and displacement waged by the Israeli occupation forces, there must be a clear political path based on the foundations of international legitimacy, the Arab Peace Initiative, and international law. This path includes all the occupied Palestinian territories in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem."

02:40 GMT - Chicago becomes latest US city to approve Gaza truce resolution

Chicago's City Council narrowly approved a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Israel's war on besieged Gaza, with Mayor Brandon Johnson casting the tie-breaking vote.

The resolution, approved 24-23, includes a call for humanitarian aid and the release of all captives.

Chicago is the latest US city to approve such a non-binding resolution, following Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco in recent months.

02:20 GMT - UNSC members meet to review ICJ ruling on Gaza genocide case

UN Security Council member states have gathered to review a recent provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel.

The Hague-based ICJ ordered Israel last week to "take all measures within its power" to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza in line with its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. The court also demanded the immediate release of all hostages.

South Africa brought the genocide case against Israel to the ICJ in late December and asked it to grant emergency measures to end the bloodshed in Gaza, where at least 26,900 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, mostly children and women.

For our live updates from Wednesday, January 31, click here.