Live Updates: WHO denounces 'destruction' of Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital

Monday, December 18, 2023

004:00 GMT - WHO condemns ''effective destruction'' of Kamal Adnan Hospital in Gaza

The head of the World Health Organization denounced "the effective destruction" of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north of Gaza, adding that at least eight patients had died.

Among the deceased patients was a 9-year-old child, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

His statement came as the Israeli army pulled out of the hospital after an operation lasting several days, claiming it had been used as a command and control centre by Hamas. Hamas has repeatedly denied such claims.

03:30 GMT - Palestinian Authority urges France to help resolve issue of settler violence in occupied West Bank

The Palestinian Authority urged France to help resolve the problem of settler violence against Palestinians.

During a meeting between Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Shtayyeh emphasized the need to put pressure on Israel to stop violations by illegal settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Shtayyeh also called for opening all crossings with the Gaza Strip to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and fuel and to restore electricity and water services.

03:00 GMT - Israel faces new calls for truce after killing of hostages raises alarm about its conduct in Gaza

Israel's government faced calls for a ceasefire from some of its closest European allies after a series of shootings, including the "mistakenly" killing of three Israeli hostages, fueled global concerns about the conduct of the 10-week-old war in Gaza.

Israeli protesters are urging their government to renew negotiations with Gaza's Hamas government, whom Israel has vowed to destroy.

Israel is also expected to face pressure to scale back major combat operations when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Monday.

02:35 GMT - Palestinian journalist killed in Israeli bombardment

Palestinian journalist Haneen Al Qashtan was killed along with her family in an Israeli airstrike on their house in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, local Media Office said.

The statement noted that the number of journalists killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7 has now reached 95.

In a previous statement, the media office said Israel has intentionally killed journalists in Gaza with the aim of silencing the Palestinian narrative, concealing the truth and preventing news and information from reaching regional and international public opinion.

For our live updates from Sunday, December 17, click here.